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Analysis of the Mechanism of Salvia miltiorrhiza in the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer Based on Network Pharmacology
Xueling Tan,
Jiajun Chen,
Yuting Bai,
Xin Chen
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, September 2023
Pages:
53-59
Received:
5 July 2023
Accepted:
19 July 2023
Published:
27 July 2023
Abstract: Objective: To explore the potential molecular mechanism of Salvia miltiorrhiza in the treatment of pancreatic cancer using network pharmacology. Methods: The active components and their corresponding core targets in Salvia miltiorrhiza were screened by TCMSP database, and the corresponding gene Symbol of core targets was obtained by using Uniprot database. The gene targets for pancreatic cancer were searched from Gene Cards, OMIM, TTD and DrugBank databases. The potential targets of Salvia miltiorrhiza were matched with pancreatic cancer gene targets using Venn diagram, and the active components-targets network of Salvia miltiorrhiza and the active components-targets network of Salvia miltiorrhiza were mapped using Cytoscape software. The DAVID database was used to perform Gene Ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis to predict the potential mechanisms of targets. Results: A total of 65 active components of Salvia miltiorrhiza were screened, corresponding to 118 targets. A total of 2167 pancreatic cancer disease targets were screened, and 75 Salvia miltiorrhiza-pancreatic cancer crossover targets were obtained. Six core targets were obtained by PPI network analysis. Luteolin, tanshinone, quercetin and dihydrodanshinolide were the main active components, and ESR1, JUN, CDKN1A, MAPK14, MYC and TP53 were the main core targets. The results of GO analysis showed that the cellular components where the 75 targets of Salvia miltiorrhiza for pancreatic cancer therapy function are mainly the nucleus, membrane rafts, spindle, and membrane microdomains. The biological processes are mainly in response to radiation, response to xennobiotic stimulus, gland development, and so on. Molecular functions include DNA binding transcription factors, specific RNA polymerase II binding transcription factors, and regulation of kinase activity. 75 targets of Salvia miltiorrhiza for pancreatic cancer treatment are mainly through PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, cancer signaling pathway, pancreatic cancer signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway and other pathways to regulate tumor immune response, induce apoptosis, promote cell cycle arrest, and tumor metastasis, promote cell cycle arrest and tumor metastasis. Conclusions: This study reveals that Salvia miltiorrhiza may regulate multiple signaling pathways through multiple targets, thus acting as a therapeutic agent for pancreatic cancer, which also provides theoretical support for the clinical discovery of alternative drugs for pancreatic cancer treatment.
Abstract: Objective: To explore the potential molecular mechanism of Salvia miltiorrhiza in the treatment of pancreatic cancer using network pharmacology. Methods: The active components and their corresponding core targets in Salvia miltiorrhiza were screened by TCMSP database, and the corresponding gene Symbol of core targets was obtained by using Uniprot d...
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Impact of COVID-19 on Liver Function Tests Among Sudanese Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study of Khartoum State
Mogtaba Ahmed Mohammed,
Alaa Abdalla Ibrahim,
Ranya Adel Hamad,
Jasim Mohamed Adam,
Misson Shamsalfalah Ahmed,
Musab Alsiddig Altayb,
Mohammed Alhendi Ali,
Amasi Abbas Idrees,
Alaaeldeen Balal Ahmed
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, September 2023
Pages:
60-63
Received:
6 April 2023
Accepted:
14 August 2023
Published:
28 August 2023
Abstract: Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) predominantly affects the pulmonary tract, causing mainly respiratory symptoms with some involvement of other organ systems. Liver injury has frequently been reported in COVID-19 patients. The clinical relevance of liver injury related to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection remains unclear, with a need for studies on the impact of liver function tests (LFTs) abnormalities at baseline. Methods: This cross-sectional study aimed to detect an association of LFTs with COVID-19 among Sudanese patients in Khartoum State, the Republic of Sudan's national capital city, from August to December 2021. A total of 90 patients with COVID-19 confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were enrolled; their ages ranged from 20 to 80. 5 ml of venous blood samples were collected from each participant by standard venipuncture and placed into a heparin container for chemical analysis. The Mindray device was used to analyze the plasma, and the results were shown on a sizable color liquid crystal display (LCD). Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference (p. value ≤ 0.05) between levels of liver function tests according to the different categories of COVID-19 cases (mild, moderate, and severe). Also, the results indicated that there was an insignificant difference (p. value ˃ 0.05) between levels of liver function tests according to gender. Moreover, the results found that there was no correlation between liver function parameters and age. Conclusions: The present study concluded that the levels of liver function tests were affected by the severity of COVID-19 infection.
Abstract: Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) predominantly affects the pulmonary tract, causing mainly respiratory symptoms with some involvement of other organ systems. Liver injury has frequently been reported in COVID-19 patients. The clinical relevance of liver injury related to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) ...
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Positively Charged Water as a Tumor Growth Stimulator
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, September 2023
Pages:
64-72
Received:
1 August 2023
Accepted:
16 August 2023
Published:
28 August 2023
Abstract: Previously, it was shown that positively charged water is able to hydrate both salts and biopolymers, while negatively charged water is not able to hydrate them. Reflections on the biological significance of this dependence made it possible to assume that cells are able to accumulate predominantly positively charged water and that it is this accumulation that stimulates both cell proliferation and the growth of tumors, including cancers; accordingly, it was proposed to use negatively charged water to stop both cell division and tumor growth. Over time, it became clear that this hypothesis was proposed without taking into account the peculiarities of the interaction of electrified waters with fats. This understanding initiated additional research, which proved to be very productive. In particular, such studies made it possible to establish that positively charged water is attracted to oils and is able to form stable emulsions with them, in contrast to negatively charged water, which does not interact with oils and does not form stable emulsions with them. Thus, the discovered shortcoming of the proposed hypothesis was eliminated. This, in turn, gave additional grounds for re-proposing negatively charged water as an antitumor agent.
Abstract: Previously, it was shown that positively charged water is able to hydrate both salts and biopolymers, while negatively charged water is not able to hydrate them. Reflections on the biological significance of this dependence made it possible to assume that cells are able to accumulate predominantly positively charged water and that it is this accumu...
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The Roles of Echocardiography in Teaching of Cardiovascular Physiology at Pre-Clinical Level of Undergraduate Medical Education
Suraj Adefabi Ogunyemi,
Busayo Onafowoke Oguntola,
Oluwadare Ogunlade
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, September 2023
Pages:
73-77
Received:
29 July 2023
Accepted:
25 August 2023
Published:
6 September 2023
Abstract: Cardiovascular physiology is a foundational basic medical sciences course essential for safe clinical practice. Teaching and learning physiology are done traditionally using didactic lectures and practical sessions. However, the world is becoming tech-savvy and echocardiography is a critical player in the evaluation of cardiac physiology and pathology. This important tool is gradually gaining recognition as a useful tool for learning at the undergraduate level. This review aimed to provide evidence-based summaries that could guide and aid the incorporation of echocardiography into the teaching of cardiovascular structure and function among undergraduate medical students in Nigeria. This is a narrative review. Relevant literature was sought with the aid of academic databases and search engines using keywords. Appropriate information on the use of echocardiography for teaching cardiovascular to undergraduates within and outside Nigeria was synthesized and summarized taking cognizance of their relevance and applications. Evidence showed that in developed countries, integration of echocardiography into cardiovascular physiology education has been done and this was associated with a better learning experience and early formation of lifelong knowledge in the use of point-of-care ultrasound but data is sparse on this aspect of medical education in Nigeria. In conclusion, echocardiography is relevant, accessible, and applicable to teaching cardiovascular physiology at basic medical sciences faculty. Integration of echocardiography into the curriculum of the medical undergraduate in Nigeria is practicable.
Abstract: Cardiovascular physiology is a foundational basic medical sciences course essential for safe clinical practice. Teaching and learning physiology are done traditionally using didactic lectures and practical sessions. However, the world is becoming tech-savvy and echocardiography is a critical player in the evaluation of cardiac physiology and pathol...
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