The association between allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma, that is, whether it is a seqential process or independent diseases, has not been established. We confirmed that a 25 year-old woman with allergic rhinitis sensitized to Artemisia spp. pollens and house dust mites developed bronchial asthma during a 2 year follow-up period. Severe broncho-constriction was noted after inhalation of methacholine, and the bronchoprovocation test with extract of Korean Artemisia spp. pollen showed early bronchoconstiction. Total IgE and specific IgE antibodies to Artemisia absinthium increased, compared to the initial levels. It is suggested that some patients with allergic rhinitis progress to bronchial ashtma.
Adult ; Angiosperms ; Asthma/diagnosis/*etiology ; Bronchial Provocation Tests ; Case Report ; Female ; Hay Fever/*complications/diagnosis ; Human ; Korea ; *Pollen ; Skin Tests

BACKGROUND: Our local calamansi's pulps contain tannin which has been found to have antifungal activity.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and efficacy of calamansi pulp extract cream in the treatment of tinea versicolor.
METHODS: This was a prospective, open-label pilot study. Safety of 20 percent, 40 percent and 80 percent tannin from calamansi pulp was done using patch test. The 40 percent tannin cream determined safe was used for the phase 2 clinical trial. Patients with tinea versicolor applied the test cream twice daily and was re-evaluated weekly for 4-weeks.
RESULTS: Of the 100 volunteers who underwent patch testing, six subjects developed significant irritancy with the 80 percent tannin cream (p= 0.016). The 20 percent and 40 percent tannin creams were deemed safe for topical application. Fifteen patients underwent the 2nd phase evaluation for efficacy using 40 percent tannin cream. Weekly mean global assessment score showed significant clinical improvement from baseline and after the 4-weeks study (p= 0.000). At week 4, clinical cure had occurred in 93 percent (95 percent CI, 81-106) of subjects, mycologic cure in 100 percent (95 percent CI, 100) and complete cure in 93 percent (95 percent CI, 81-106).
CONCLUSION: The 20 percent and 40 percent tannin extracts are safe for topical application. The 40 percent calamansi pulp extract cream is effective against tinea versicolor after 4-weeks of use.

Human ; Citrus ; Eukaryota ; Plants ; Antifungal Agents ; Patch Tests ; Pilot Projects ; Prospective Studies ; Tannins ; Tinea Pedis ; Tinea Versicolor ; Volunteers ; Angiosperms ; Rutaceae

Although the number of protein-coding genes is not highly variable between plant taxa, the DNA content in their genomes is highly variable, by as much as 2,056-fold from a 1C amount of 0.0648 pg to 132.5 pg. The mean 1C-value in plants is 2.4 pg, and genome size expansion/contraction is lineage-specific in plant taxonomy. Transposable element fractions in plant genomes are also variable, as low as ~3% in small genomes and as high as ~85% in large genomes, indicating that genome size is a linear function of transposable element content. Of the 2 classes of transposable elements, the dynamics of class 1 long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons is a major contributor to the 1C value differences among plants. The activity of LTR retrotransposons is under the control of epigenetic suppressing mechanisms. Also, genome-purging mechanisms have been adopted to counter-balance the genome size amplification. With a wealth of information on whole-genome sequences in plant genomes, it was revealed that several genome-purging mechanisms have been employed, depending on plant taxa. Two genera, Lilium and Fritillaria, are known to have large genomes in angiosperms. There were twice times of concerted genome size evolutions in the family Liliaceae during the divergence of the current genera in Liliaceae. In addition to the LTR retrotransposons, non-LTR retrotransposons and satellite DNAs contributed to the huge genomes in the two genera by possible failure of genome counter-balancing mechanisms.
Angiosperms ; Classification ; DNA ; DNA Transposable Elements* ; DNA, Satellite ; Epigenomics ; Fritillaria ; Genome ; Genome Size* ; Genome, Plant ; Humans ; Liliaceae ; Lilium ; Plants ; Retroelements ; Terminal Repeat Sequences