OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of C. minima in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

METHODAn allergic rhinitis animal model induced by ragweed pollen was established. After treatment with an active extract of C. minima, histopathological changes in the nasal mucosa of guinea pig were observed by transmission electron microscope.

RESULTIn the allergeic rhinitis model group, there appear a large number of lysosomes in the nasal epithelium with organelles vacuolated and nucleus deformed. Cells in the proper lamina of connective tissue were disarranged with organelles damaged, and there was also infiltration of eosinophils and mast cells in the connective tissue. However, in the treatment group receiving C. minima extract, the pathological changes mentioned above were significantly decreased.

CONCLUSIONC. minima is effective in treating allergic rhinitis.

Animals ; Asteraceae ; chemistry ; Epithelium ; ultrastructure ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; Lysosomes ; drug effects ; Male ; Mitochondrial Swelling ; drug effects ; Nasal Mucosa ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Oils, Volatile ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Phytotherapy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; drug therapy ; pathology

INTRODUCTION: The cost-effectiveness of screening asymptomatic non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients remains debatable, with current studies assuming lifelong benefits of NAFLD screening while neglecting cardiovascular outcomes. This study aims to assess the cost-effectiveness of NAFLD screening among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, and to establish a price threshold for NAFLD treatment, when it becomes available. METHOD: A Markov model was constructed comparing 4 screening strategies (versus no screening) to identify NAFLD with advanced fibrosis among T2DM patients: fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE), FIB-4 and VCTE (simultaneous), and FIB-4 and VCTE (sequential). Sensitivity analyses and price threshold analyses were performed to assess parameter uncertainties in the results. RESULTS: VCTE was the most cost-effective NAFLD screening strategy (USD24,727/quality-adjusted life year [QALY]), followed by FIB-4 (USD36,800/QALY), when compared to no screening. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis revealed a higher degree of certainty for VCTE as a cost-effective strategy compared to FIB-4 (90.7% versus 73.2%). The duration of expected screening benefit is the most influential variable based on incremental cost-effectiveness ratio tornado analysis. The minimum duration of screening benefit for NAFLD screening to be cost-effective was at least 2.6 years. The annual cost of NAFLD treatment should be less than USD751 for NAFLD screening to be cost-effective. CONCLUSION Both VCTE and FIB-4 are cost-effective NAFLD screening strategies among T2DM patients in Singapore. However, given the lack of access to VCTE at primacy care and potential budget constraints, FIB-4 can also be considered for NAFLD screening among T2DM patients in Singapore.
Humans ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/diagnosis* ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/diagnosis* ; Research ; Fibrosis

Salmonella infection occurs in 5 different clinical forms; gasteroenteritis, enteric fever, bacteremia, chronic carried state and localization at one or more sites. Extraintestinal pyogenic infections caused by salmonella species include soft tissue abscesses, bone and joint infections, cholecystitis, liver abscess and splenic abscess etc. Pancreatic abscess due to Salmonella typhi is a very rare extraintestinal manifestation of salmonellosis. Infection pathways may be considered as reflux of infected bile through the pancreatic duct, hematogenous spread from a distant site or lymphatic spread from the intestinal tract. Treatment of pancreatic abscess needs surgical intervention and antibiotics therapy. We have experienced a case of a 40-years-old female with pancreatic abscess due to Salmonella typhi. She was treated with ultrasonography-guided catheter drainage and intravenous ceftriaxone for 18 days. After 14 days, the sonographic examination revealed the abscess cavity in pancreas almost disappeared. We report this case with review of literatures.
Abscess* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteremia ; Bile ; Catheters ; Ceftriaxone ; Cholecystitis ; Drainage ; Female ; Humans ; Joints ; Liver Abscess ; Pancreas ; Pancreatic Ducts ; Salmonella Infections ; Salmonella typhi* ; Salmonella* ; Typhoid Fever ; Ultrasonography