scholarly journals Novel Diagnosis of Lyme Disease: Potential for CAM Intervention

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 283-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aristo Vojdani ◽  
Frank Hebroni ◽  
Yaniv Raphael ◽  
Jonathan Erde ◽  
Bernard Raxlen
Keyword(s):  
Lyme Disease ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Clinical Diagnostics ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
Clinical Diagnostic ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Tick Borne Disease

Lyme disease (LD) is the most common tick-borne disease in the northern hemisphere, producing a wide range of disabling effects on multiple human targets, including the skin, the nervous system, the joints and the heart. Insufficient clinical diagnostic methods, the necessity for prompt antibiotic treatment along with the pervasive nature of infection impel the development and establishment of new clinical diagnostic tools with increased accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. The goal of this article is 4-fold: (i) to detail LD infection and pathology, (ii) to review prevalent diagnostic methods, emphasizing inherent problems, (iii) to introduce the usage ofin vivoinduced antigen technology (IVIAT) in clinical diagnostics and (iv) to underscore the relevance of a novel comprehensive LD diagnostic approach to practitioners of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). Utilization of this analytical method will increase the accuracy of the diagnostic process and abridge the time to treatment, with antibiotics, herbal medicines and nutritional supplements, resulting in improved quality of care and disease prognosis.

scholarly journals INSPECTOR: free software for magnetic resonance spectroscopy data inspection, processing, simulation and analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Gajdošík ◽  
Karl Landheer ◽  
Kelley M. Swanberg ◽  
Christoph Juchem
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Quality Management ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Data Processing ◽  
Biomedical Research ◽  
Clinical Diagnostics ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
User Friendliness ◽  
Wide Range

AbstractIn vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a powerful tool for biomedical research and clinical diagnostics, allowing for non-invasive measurement and analysis of small molecules from living tissues. However, currently available MRS processing and analytical software tools are limited in their potential for in-depth quality management, access to details of the processing stream, and user friendliness. Moreover, available MRS software focuses on selected aspects of MRS such as simulation, signal processing or analysis, necessitating the use of multiple packages and interfacing among them for biomedical applications. The freeware INSPECTOR comprises enhanced MRS data processing, simulation and analytical capabilities in a one-stop-shop solution for a wide range of biomedical research and diagnostic applications. Extensive data handling, quality management and visualization options are built in, enabling the assessment of every step of the processing chain with maximum transparency. The parameters of the processing can be flexibly chosen and tailored for the specific research problem, and extended confidence information is provided with the analysis. The INSPECTOR software stands out in its user-friendly workflow and potential for automation. In addition to convenience, the functionalities of INSPECTOR ensure rigorous and consistent data processing throughout multi-experiment and multi-center studies.

scholarly journals Comparative Study of Immune-Diagnostic Tools with Polymerase Chain Reaction in Sub-Clinical Leishmaniasis Isolates

2011 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nazar M Abdalla
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Skin Test ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Clinical Form ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Leishmanin Skin Test ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Objective: This study aimed to identify cases of leishmaniasis in the Nuba Mountain area, which is situated in a unique geographical site located in the centre of Sudanese leishmania belt. Wide range of investigations are available for detection of leishmania cases, but still the most reliable and easy test used as screening and epidemiological tool in field studies needs to be evaluated. The most commonly used conventional diagnostic methods direct microscopy and culture have some drawbacks in diagnosing subclinical cases of leishmaniasis. Materials and methods: In this study, comparative properties of various immune-diagnostic tools with Polymerase Chain Reaction used in sub-clinical leishmaniasis isolates were explored. The immune-diagnostic tools involved in this study include- Leishmanin Skin Test (LST), Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Direct Agglutination Test (DAT). The study was conducted in the Green Valley village (Rashad Province, South Kordofan State) with a population of 332. Most of the villagers presented with sub-clinical form of leishmaniasis with minor symptoms and signs without the features found in clinical form of visceral leishmaniasis such as fever, diarrhoea, epistaxis, enlarged lymph nodes, spleen and liver. In this study we collected demographic, clinical and epidemiological data using special questionnaire. Leishmanin skin test (LST), ELISA, DAT and PCR for parasite DNA detection were used. Result: The final positive cases detected by PCR were 32 out of 332 belong to L. donovani species. The final positive cases detected by LST were 51.2% of the total population under study, while 11 out of the 37 tested samples were positive by ELISA. All of the 332 villagers showed negative readings by DAT with exception of three individuals who were positive with very high titers. Conclusion: DNA etxtraction and amplification with primers can be a good screening tool in subclinical leishmaniasis isolates. Keyword: Sub-clinical; Leishmaniasis; Leishmanin Skin Test; ELISA; DAT; PCR. DOI: 10.3329/jom.v12i1.5422J Medicine 2011; 12 : 34-39

E-Health Decision Support Systems for the Diagnosis of Dementia Diseases

2013 ◽  
pp. 84-97
Author(s):  
Isabella Castiglioni ◽  
Maria Carla Gilardi ◽  
Francesca Gallivanone
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support ◽  
Decision Support Systems ◽  
Support Systems ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
Dementia Patients ◽  
Health Decision ◽  
Diagnosis Of Dementia ◽  
Dementia Diseases

The increase of incidence and prevalence of dementia diseases makes urgent the clinical community to be supported in the difficult diagnostic process of dementia patients. E-health decision support systems, based on innovative algorithms able to extract information from in vivo neuroimaging studies, can make a quite different way to perform neurological diagnosis and enlarge domains and actors involved in the diagnostic process. A number of image-processing methods that extract potential biomarkers from the in vivo neuroimaging studies have been proposed (e.g. volume segmentation, voxel-based statistical mapping). A number of new shape descriptors have also been developed (e.g. texture-based). Other approaches (e.g. machine learning, pattern recognition) have been proven effective, for both structural and functional data, in making automatic diagnoses. The integration of these sophisticated diagnostic tools into secure, efficient, and wide e-infrastructures is the prerequisite for the real implementation of e-health support services to the clinical and industrial communities managing dementia patients.

scholarly journals Simultaneous involvement of optic and abducens nerves by Lyme disease: Case report with review of the literature

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Iman Dabiri ◽  
Ahmet Z. Burakgazi
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Lyme Disease ◽  
False Negative ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Ocular Manifestations ◽  
First Case ◽  
Clinical Presentations ◽  
Disease Case ◽  
Wide Range

Ocular manifestations of Lyme disease (LD) remain a rare feature of the disease, but it may present a wide range of clinical presentations with different combinations. LD related optic neuritis or cranial nerve (CN) six palsy have been reported in the literature. However, this is the first case report of simultaneous involvement of CN 2 and CN 6 in a patient with LD. The diagnosis of LD can be challenging and initial laboratory tests can be a false negative. It is paramount important to repeat the diagnostic test if clinical suspicious is ongoing. With this case, we aim to increase awareness of clinicians for possible ocular manifestations of LD and its complex diagnostic process.

scholarly journals Diagnostic Tools for Borrelia Assessment in Humans

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serena Bonin
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Lyme Disease ◽  
Web Sites ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Review Article ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Controversial Topic ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Although the etiological agent of Lyme disease has been known since 1980s, diagnosis of Lyme disease is still a controversial topic because of the wide range of clinical manifestations and the limited diagnostic tools available to assessBorreliain humans.The most used diagnostic tool for Lyme disease is currently serology, but also Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and other methods are often used to proveBorreliainfection in different patients’ specimens. The present article deals with most of the diagnostic tools used in clinical practice for Lyme disease detection in human samples. Direct and indirect specific methods forBorreliainfection detection will be discussed.The most recent peer reviewed publications as well as original results from our study and information provided by companies’ web sites have been analyzed to compile this review article.

scholarly journals Towards Polypharmacokinetics: Pharmacokinetics of Multicomponent Drugs and Herbal Medicines Using a Metabolomics Approach

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ke Lan ◽  
Guoxiang Xie ◽  
Wei Jia
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Metabolic Response ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Multivariate Statistical ◽  
Vast Number ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Viable Approach

Determination of pharmacokinetics (PKs) of multicomponent pharmaceuticals and/or nutraceuticals (polypharmacokinetics, poly-PKs) is difficult due to the vast number of compounds present in natural products, their various concentrations across a wide range, complexity of their interactions, as well as their complex degradation dynamicsin vivo. Metabolomics coupled with multivariate statistical tools that focus on the comprehensive analysis of small molecules in biofluids is a viable approach to address the challenges of poly-PK. This paper discusses recent advances in the characterization of poly-PK and the metabolism of multicomponent xenobiotic agents, such as compound drugs, dietary supplements, and herbal medicines, using metabolomics strategy. We propose a research framework that integrates the dynamic concentration profile of bioavailable xenobiotic molecules that result fromin vivoabsorption and hepatic and gut bacterial metabolism, as well as the human metabolic response profile. This framework will address the bottleneck problem in the pharmacological evaluation of multicomponent pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, leading to the direct elucidation of the pharmacological and molecular mechanisms of these compounds.

scholarly journals Tackling the COVID-19 Pandemic- A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-186
Author(s):  
CC Nganwuchu ◽  
K Habas ◽  
N Mohammed ◽  
M Osei Wusuansa ◽  
D Makanjuola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Repurposing ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
World Health ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The World ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization

Since December 2019, a new type of coronavirus called novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV, or COVID-19) was identified in Wuhan, China and on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a global pandemic. With more than 101,797,158 confirmed cases, resulting in 3,451,354 deaths as of May 21, 2021, the world faces an unprecedented economic, social, and health impact. The clinical spectrum of COVID-19 has a wide range of manifestations, ranging from an asymptomatic state or mild respiratory symptoms to severe viral pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Several diagnostic methods are currently available for detecting the coronavirus in clinical, research, and public health laboratories. Some tests detect the infection directly by detecting the viral RNA using real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and other tests detect the infection indirectly by detecting the host antibodies. Additional techniques are using medical imaging diagnostic tools such as X-ray and computed tomography (CT). Various approaches have been employed in the development of COVID-19 therapies. Some of these approaches use drug repurposing (e.g. Remdesivir and Dexamethasone) and combinational therapy (e.g. Lopinavir/Ritonavir), whilst others aim to develop anti-viral vaccines (e.g. mRNA and antibody). Additionally, health experts integrate data sharing, provide with guidelines and advice to minimize the effects of the pandemic. These guidelines include wearing masks, avoiding direct contact with infectious people, respiratory and personal hygiene. Taken together, an extensive knowledge on transmission mechanisms, clinical spectrums, specific diagnostics methods, host-virus interactions are required to tackle this pandemic. J. Bio-Sci. 29(2): 175-186, 2021 (December)

Antimicrobial Agents and Urinary Tract Infections

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (12) ◽  
pp. 1409-1423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lernik Issakhanian ◽  
Payam Behzadi
Keyword(s):  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Urinary Tract Infections ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Treatment Procedures ◽  
Definite Treatment

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs); second-ranking infectious diseases are regarded as a significant global health care problem. The UTIs annually cost tens of millions of dollars for governments worldwide. The main reason behind these costs is incorrect or indefinite treatment. There are a wide range of gram-negative and grampositive bacteria which may cause UTIs in males and females, children and adults. Among gram-negative bacteria, some members of Enterobacteriaceae such as Escherichia coli (E.coli) strains have significant contribution in UTIs. Uropathogenic E.coli (UPEC) strains are recognized as typical bacterial agents for UTIs. Thus, sharp and accurate diagnostic tools are needed for detection and identification of the microbial causative agents of UTIs. In parallel with the utilization of suitable diagnostic methods-to reduce the number of UTIs, effective and definite treatment procedures are needed. Therefore, the prescription of accurate, specific and effective antibiotics and drugs may lead to a definite treatment. However, there are many cases related to UTIs which can be relapsed. Due to a diversity of opportunistic and pathogenic causative microbial agents of UTIs, the treatment procedures should be achieved by the related antimicrobial agents. In this review, common and effective antimicrobial agents which are often prescribed for UTIs caused by UPEC will be discussed. Moreover, we will have a sharp look at their (antimicrobials) molecular treatment mechanisms.

scholarly journals Exosomes: Versatile Nano Mediators of Immune Regulation

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li ◽  
Wang ◽  
Peng ◽  
Huyan ◽  
Cacalano
Keyword(s):  
Cellular Differentiation ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Novel Drug

One of many types of extracellular vesicles (EVs), exosomes are nanovesicle structures that are released by almost all living cells that can perform a wide range of critical biological functions. Exosomes play important roles in both normal and pathological conditions by regulating cell-cell communication in cancer, angiogenesis, cellular differentiation, osteogenesis, and inflammation. Exosomes are stable in vivo and they can regulate biological processes by transferring lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, and even entire signaling pathways through the circulation to cells at distal sites. Recent advances in the identification, production, and purification of exosomes have created opportunities to exploit these structures as novel drug delivery systems, modulators of cell signaling, mediators of antigen presentation, as well as biological targeting agents and diagnostic tools in cancer therapy. This review will examine the functions of immunocyte-derived exosomes and their roles in the immune response under physiological and pathological conditions. The use of immunocyte exosomes in immunotherapy and vaccine development is discussed.

Cnidium monnieri: A Review of Traditional Uses, Phytochemical and Ethnopharmacological Properties

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (05) ◽  
pp. 835-877 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Min Li ◽  
Min Jia ◽  
Hua-Qiang Li ◽  
Nai-Dan Zhang ◽  
Xian Wen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Active Constituent ◽  
Active Constituents ◽  
Traditional Uses ◽  
Male Impotence ◽  
Wide Range

Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cuss., an annual plant of the Umbelliferae species is one of the most widely used traditional herbal medicines and its fruits have been used to treat a variety of diseases in China, Vietnam, and Japan. The aim of this review is to provide an up-to-date and comprehensive analysis of the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity and contraindication of Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cuss. and to provide future directions of research on this plant. To date, 350 compounds have been isolated and identified from Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cuss., including the main active constituent, coumarins. In vitro and in vivo studies suggest that osthole and other coumarin compounds possess wide range of pharmacological properties for the treatment of female genitals, male impotence, frigidity, skin-related diseases, and exhibit strong antipruritic, anti-allergic, antidermatophytic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-osteoporotic effects. Although coumarins have been identified as the main active constituents responsible for the observed pharmacological effects, the molecular mechanisms of their actions are still unknown. Therefore, further studies are still required to reveal the structure–activity relationship of these active constituents. In addition, toxicological and clinical studies are also required to provide further data for pharmaceutical use.

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