Literature Searches for Uses of New Botanical Drugs

Author(s):  
E. F. WOODWARD
Keyword(s):  
1985 ◽  
Vol 24 (03) ◽  
pp. 163-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. John

SummaryAs many bibliographic services in medicine are offered, literature searches in eight databases at DIMDI were performed to find out which database is most important in medicine. The distribution of publications from members of the medical faculty of Frankfurt University was examined. No save prediction is possible as to which database will yield most articles. Overlapping from different databases is often rather low. The selection of an appropriate database mix for sufficient recall and in a cost-effective manner.is a task for an experienced searcher.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jagjit S Soar

he current COVID-19 pandemic now believed to be based on the mutation of the SARS-CoV virus (first reported in 2002) to SARS-CoV-2 emerging in 2019, is naturally causing extreme worry and concern around the world with sometimes mixed and incoherent messages on how to deal with it. There is a plethora of information from previous epidemics caused by other coronaviruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome, SARS (2002) and Middle East respiratory syndrome MERS (2012) from which we can extrapolate guidance on how to deal with the current pandemic. In the current absence of specific pharmaceutical agents, we propose assessing the extended tools that we already possess in our biological armoury to combat, prevent and control the spread of this virus. Using a set of precise criteria to locate such possible contenders, we conducted literature searches to find compounds that met these criteria. We have now reduced this to a shortlist of three agents that may be the best candidates. We propose vitamin C, vitamin D and Curcumin fit our criteria well. These compounds are widely available to the general public. They are available online and over-the-counter as supplements. Otherwise healthy individuals are safely able to self-administer these agents as a prophylactic to protect themselves and to enhance their immune response. This would be especially desirable for the elderly and at risk groups. These agents can also be used as adjunct therapy, particularly for those who may have early symptoms. This preventative therapy could be implemented whilst awaiting specific pharmaceutical drugs to emerge as a treatment for COVID-19. Our suggested compounds are a highly cost-effective way to potentially reduce the mortality that is regretfully mounting as a result of COVID-19 infection. The biological mode of action and the dosing of these compounds are summarised.


Author(s):  
Elisa Domi ◽  
Malvina Hoxha ◽  
Bianka Hoxha ◽  
Bruno Zappacosta

Purpose: Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) has been considered a risk factor for different diseases including cardiovascular disease (CVD), inflammation, neurological diseases, cancer and many other pathological conditions. Likewise, arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism is implicated in both vascular homeostasis and inflammation as shown by the development of CVD following the imbalance of its metabolites. Aim of The Review: This review summarizes how homocysteine (Hcy) can influence the metabolism of AA. Methods: In silico literature searches were performed on PubMed and Scopus as main sources. Results: Several studies have shown that altered levels of Hcy, through AA release and metabolism, can influence the synthesis and the activity of prostaglandins (PGs), prostacyclin (PGI₂), thromboxane (TXA), epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs). Conclusions: We believe that by targeting Hcy in AA pathways, novel compounds with better pharmacological and pharmacodynamics benefits may be obtained and that this information is valuable for dietician to manipulate diets to improve health.


Author(s):  
Carmen Ricós ◽  
Pilar Fernández-Calle ◽  
Elisabet Gonzalez-Lao ◽  
Margarida Simón ◽  
Jorge Díaz-Garzón ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectivesNumerous biological variation (BV) studies have been performed over the years, but the quality of these studies vary. The objectives of this study were to perform a systematic review and critical appraisal of BV studies on glycosylated albumin and to deliver updated BV estimates for glucose and HbA1c, including recently published high-quality studies such as the European Biological Variation study (EuBIVAS).MethodsSystematic literature searches were performed to identify BV studies. Nine publications not included in a previous review were identified; four for glycosylated albumin, three for glucose, and three for HbA1c. Relevant studies were appraised by the Biological Variation Data Critical Appraisal Checklist (BIVAC). Global BV estimates were derived by meta-analysis of BIVAC-compliant studies in healthy subjects with similar study design.ResultsOne study received BIVAC grade A, 2B, and 6C. In most cases, the C-grade was associated with deficiencies in statistical analysis. BV estimates for glycosylated albumin were: CVI=1.4% (1.2–2.1) and CVG=5.7% (4.7–10.6), whereas estimates for HbA1c, CVI=1.2% (0.3–2.5), CVG=5.4% (3.3–7.3), and glucose, CVI=5.0% (4.1–12.0), CVG=8.1% (2.7–10.8) did not differ from previously published global estimates.ConclusionsThe critical appraisal and rating of BV studies according to their methodological quality, followed by a meta-analysis, generate robust, and reliable BV estimates. This study delivers updated and evidence-based BV estimates for glycosylated albumin, glucose and HbA1c.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 2189
Author(s):  
Thomas Perreault ◽  
César Fernández-de-las-Peñas ◽  
Mike Cummings ◽  
Barry C. Gendron

Sciatica is a condition often accompanied by neuropathic pain (NP). Acupuncture and dry needling are common treatments for pain, and the current literature supports acupuncture as an effective treatment for sciatica. However, it is unknown if the mechanisms of NP are considered in the delivery of needling interventions for sciatica. Our objective was to assess the efficacy and the effectiveness of needling therapies, to identify common needling practices and to investigate if NP mechanisms are considered in the treatment of sciatica. A scoping review of the literature on needling interventions for sciatica and a review of the literature on mechanisms related to NP and needling interventions were performed. Electronic literature searches were conducted on PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from inception to August, 2020 to identify relevant papers. Reference lists of included papers were also manually screened and a related-articles search through PubMed was performed on all included articles. Mapping of the results included description of included studies, summary of results, and identification of gaps in the existing literature. Ten articles were included. All studies used acupuncture for the treatment of sciatica, no studies on dry needling were identified. Current evidence supports the efficacy and effectiveness of acupuncture for sciatica, however, no studies considered underlying NP mechanisms in the acupuncture approach for sciatica and the rationale for using acupuncture was inconsistent among trials. This review reveals that neuropathic pain mechanisms are not routinely considered in needling approaches for patients with sciatica. Studies showed acupuncture to be an effective treatment for sciatic pain, however, further research is warranted to explore if needling interventions for sciatica and NP would be more effective if NP mechanisms are considered.


Author(s):  
Adi V Gundlapalli ◽  
Reynolds M Salerno ◽  
John T Brooks ◽  
Francisco Averhoff ◽  
Lyle Petersen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background There is a need for validated and standardized SARS-CoV-2 quantitative IgG and neutralization assays that can be used to understand the immunology and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and support the COVID-19 pandemic response. Methods Literature searches were conducted to identify English language publications from peer-reviewed journals and pre-prints from January 2020 through October 12, 2020. Relevant publications were reviewed for mention of IgG or neutralization assays for SARS-CoV-2, or both, and the methods of reporting assay results. Results Quantitative SARS-CoV-2 IgG results have been reported from a limited number of studies; most studies used in-house laboratory-developed tests in limited settings, and only two semi-quantitative tests have received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). As of October12, 2020, there are no neutralization assays with FDA EUA. Relatively few studies have attempted correlation of quantitative IgG titers with neutralization results to estimate surrogates of protection. The number of individuals tested is small compared to the magnitude of the pandemic and persons tested are not representative of disproportionately affected populations. Methods of reporting quantitative results are not standardized to enable comparisons and meta-analyses. Conclusions Lack of standardized SARS-CoV-2 quantitative IgG and neutralization assays precludes comparison of results from published studies. Inter-assay and inter-laboratory validation and standardization of assays will support efforts to better understand antibody kinetics and longevity of humoral immune responses post-illness, surrogates of immune protection, and vaccine immunogenicity and efficacy. Public-private partnerships could facilitate realization of these advances in the United States and world-wide.


Author(s):  
Mafalda Ferreira ◽  
António Marques ◽  
Paulo Veloso Gomes

Resilience interventions have been gaining importance among researchers due to their potential to provide well-being and reduce the prevalence of mental disorders that are becoming an increasing concern, especially in Western countries, because of the costs associated. The purpose of this systematic review is to identify the intervention studies carried out in the last decade in adult population samples, evaluate their methodological quality and highlight the trends of these types of interventions. This review was performed using systematic literature searches in the following electronic databases: B-on, PubMed, PsycNet and Science Direct. The application of eligibility criteria resulted in the inclusion of 38 articles, of which 33 were randomized controlled trials and the other five were nonrandomized controlled studies. Although most studies showed statistical significance for their results, these were constrained by the great heterogeneity of the studies, the lack of power of the samples and their fair methodological quality. Therefore, it is important to consolidate the theoretical basis and standardize certain methodologies so that the effects of the interventions can be compared through a meta-analysis.


2011 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elyse Amend ◽  
David M. Secko

The qualitative literature related to health and science journalism often states that little is known about the perspectives of journalists. This is, in part, because of individual studies being like scattered pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. In this article, the authors report the results of a qualitative metasynthesis aimed at reassembling the qualitative literature involving health and science journalists. Comprehensive literature searches gave a data set of 21 studies whose synthesis produced 14 metathemes and four taxonomic groupings. This synthesis is used to show the state of qualitative knowledge and the potential for future research.


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