Predicting Success: A Comprehensive Analysis of High School and Admission Test Scores on Future Academic Performance of Dental Students.

Introduction Dental school admissions in Pakistan traditionally rely on Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC), University of Health Sciences (UHS), and National Testing Service (NTS) scores, with limited research available on their predictive validity for dental school performance. This study aims to investigate the correlation between a student's first-year dental school performance and their HSSC, UHS, and NTS scores. Methods A total of 282 records, spanning the years 2016 to 2020, were obtained from a single private dental institution. The data included HSSC, UHS, and/or NTS scores, with the first professional examination results as the dependent variable. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, IBM Corp., Version 25.0, Armonk, NY), encompassing descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis. Results Pearson's coefficients revealed weak to moderate positive correlations between the first professional examination and HSSC (r=0.209, p<.01), UHS (r=0.344, p<.01), and NTS (r=0.350, p<.01), all statistically significant at p < 0.01. Multiple regression analysis indicated that UHS scores contributed the highest explanatory power (R² = 0.146) in predicting first professional examination results. Conclusion A positive correlation between HSSC, UHS, and NTS scores with dental students' performance in the first professional examination is observed. However, the correlations are moderate, highlighting the importance of incorporating assessments that consider cognitive, behavioral, and skill-related aspects in admissions processes. Given the evolving landscape of dental education, these findings underscore the need for a holistic approach to identify candidates better equipped to serve the healthcare sector.

Does nature-based social prescription improve mental health outcomes? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: A nature-based social prescription (NBSP) is an approach to improving mental health outcomes that involves prescribing nature-based interventions as complementary or alternative therapy to traditional ones. A variety of advantages are available from NBSP for people looking to enhance their mental well-being. The effect size of the nature-based social prescriptions (NBSPs) has not been thoroughly evaluated by systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Objectives: The current study aimed to analyze existing studies and conduct a meta-analysis to determine the overall effect size of the nature-based social prescriptions (NBSP's) outcomes on mental health. Methods: By choosing the relevant papers from among those that were available, a meta-analysis was carried out in the current study. A systematic search of electronic databases (Pub Med, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Embase, CINAHL, and PsychINFO) was conducted to identify relevant studies. Studies were included if they evaluated the effects of NBSP on mental health outcomes. Effect sizes were calculated using the random effects model. Results: Meta-analysis of interventions statistics shows that CBT (SMD -0.0035; 95% CI: [-0.5090; 0.5020]; Tau^2: 0.1011; Tau: 0.318), digital intervention (SMD -0.3654; 95% CI: [-0.5258; 1.2566]; Tau^2: 0.2976, Tau: 0.5455), music intervention (SMD -2.1281; 95% CI: [-0.4659; 4.7221]; Tau^2: 3.4046; Tau:1.8452), and psychological interventions (SMD -0.8529; 95% CI: [0.3051; 1.4007]; Tau^2: 0.1224; Tau: 0.3499) do not significantly impact. The other interventions [social belongingness, communication training, blue intervention, nature-based education, cognitive behavior group therapy (CBGT), social prescribing coordinator, self-help intervention, participatory, organizational intervention, inpatient services, brief diet, internet-based intervention, prenatal intervention, yoga and meditation, ergonomics training program, yoga nidra intervention, and storytelling] highlighted above are significant. Conclusion: The conclusion of the meta-analysis supports the idea that incorporating nature-based social prescription interventions into mental healthcare plans can effectively complement traditional therapies and improve mental health outcomes. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023412458, CRD42023412458.

Chemical composition and antimicrobial study of Crossobamon orientalis body oil.

Geckos and their products have been used in Asian traditional medicine. Medicinal properties of desert-dwelling Gecko species, Crossobamon orientalis remain unexplored. In this study, natural bioactive macromolecules present in oil extracted from C. orientalis (COO) and their biological activities were evaluated. Chemical constitution of COO was explored by using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Antioxidant, antiviral, and antibacterial activities of COO extracts were assessed using various assays, including DPPH free-radical-protocol, HET-CAM method, in ovo-antiviral technique, and disc-diffusion method. GC-MS study reported 40 different compounds in COO. n-hexane and methanol extracts of COO demonstrated highest DPPH radical inhibition, with values of 70 and 63.3%, respectively. Extracts of COO in solvents, namely 1-butanol, methanol, diethyl ether, and n-hexane significantly inhibited the proliferation of four pathogenic viruses. Maximum zone of inhibition was observed for Escherichia coli (13.65 ± 0.57 mm). These findings suggest that COO possesses potent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties against viral and bacterial strains, thanks to its biologically active components having no side effects. Further studies are essential to isolate and identify individual bioactive compounds present in COO and to investigate their potential as therapeutic agents.

Identification of novel inhibitors against VP40 protein of Marburg virus by integrating molecular modeling and dynamics approaches.

Marburg virus (MV) is a highly etiological agent of haemorrhagic fever in humans and has spread across the world. Its outbreaks caused a 23-90% human death rate. However, there are currently no authorized preventive or curative measures yet. VP40 is the MV matrix protein, which builds protein shell underneath the viral envelope and confers hallmark filamentous. VP40 alone is able to induce assembly and budding of filamentous virus-like particles (VLPs), which resemble authentic virions. As a result, this research is credited with clarifying the function of VP40 and leading to the discovery of new therapeutic targets effective in combating MV disease (MVD). Virtual screening, molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation were used to find the putative active chemicals based on a 3D pharmacophore model of the protein's active site cavity. Initially, andrographidine-C, a potent inhibitor was selected for the development of the pharmacophore model. Later, a library of 30,000 compounds along with the andrographidine-C was docked against VP40 protein. Three best hits including avanafil, diuvaretin and macrourone were subjected to further MD simulation analysis, as these compounds had better binding affinities as compared to andrographidine-C. Furthermore, throughout the 100 ns simulations, the back bone of VP40 protein in presence of avanafil, diuvaretin and macrourone remained stable which was further validated by MM-PBSA analysis. Additionally, all of these compounds depict maximum drug-like properties. The predicted drugs based on the ligand, avanafil, diuvaretin and macrourone could be exploited and developed as an alternative or complementary therapy for the treatment of MVD.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Revolutionizing Surgical Care: The Power of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS).

The development of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) has brought about substantial transformations in perioperative care, substituting conventional methods with a patient-centric, evidence-based strategy. ERAS protocol adopts a holistic approach to patient care, which includes all stages preceding, during, and following the operation. These programs prioritize patient-specific therapies that are tailored to their specific requirements. Nutritional assessment and enhancement, patient education, minimally invasive procedures, and multimodal pain management are all fundamental components of ERAS. ERAS provides a multitude of advantages, including diminished postoperative complications, abbreviated hospital stays, heightened patient satisfaction, and healthcare cost reductions. This article examines the foundational tenets of ERAS, their incorporation into the field of general surgery, their suitability for diverse surgical specialties, the obstacles faced during implementation, and possible directions for further investigation, such as the integration of digital health technologies, personalized patient care, and the long-term viability of ERAS protocols.

The Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Avena fatua Extract: Antifungal Activity against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici.

Using plant extracts as eco-friendly reducing and stabilizing agents for the synthesis of nanoparticles has gained significant attention in recent years. The current study explores the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the Avena fatua extract and evaluates their antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici (Fol), a fungal plant pathogen. A green and sustainable approach was adopted to synthesize silver nanoparticles before these nanoparticles were employed for anti-fungal activity. The primary indication that AgNPs had formed was performed using UV-vis spectroscopy, where a strong peak at 425 nm indicated the effective formation of these nanoparticles. The indication of important functional groups acting as reducing and stabilizing agents was conducted using the FTIR study. Additionally, morphological studies were executed via SEM and AFM, which assisted with more effectively analyzing AgNPs. Crystalline behavior and size were estimated using powder XRD, and it was found that AgNPs were highly crystalline, and their size ranged from 5 to 25 nm. Synthesized AgNPs exhibited significant antifungal activity against Fol at a concentration of 40 ppm. Furthermore, the inhibitory index confirmed a positive correlation between increasing AgNPs concentration and exposure duration. This study suggests that the combined phytochemical mycotoxic effect of the plant extract and the smaller size of synthesized AgNPs were responsible for the highest penetrating power to inhibit Fol growth. Moreover, this study highlights the potential of using plant extracts as reducing and capping agents for the green synthesis of AgNPs with antifungal properties. The study concludes that A. fatua extract can synthesize antifungal AgNPs as a sustainable approach with robust antifungal efficacy against Fol, underscoring their promising potential for integration into plant protection strategies.

Inquiring asymmetric effects of oil prices, money supply, and domestic debt on consumer prices: an empirical evidence from Pakistan.

Oil prices (OP) may play a significant role in determining inflation in any oil-importing economy and could have an asymmetrical effect as well. Thus, this paper aims to explore the asymmetric influence of OP, broad money supply (BMS), and domestic debt (DD) on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the oil-importing economy of Pakistan using the nonlinear autoregressive distributive lag (NARDL) methodology on an annual sample from 1980 to 2021. The long-run results show that increasing OP and BMS have a positive effect on CPI. Similarly, decreasing OP and BMS have a positive effect on CPI. So, increasing OP and BMS is raising price levels, and decreasing OP and BMS is reducing price levels. OP has a positive and symmetrical effect on CPI. However, the BMS has a positive but asymmetrical effect on CPI. Furthermore, the effect of decreasing BMS is found greater than increasing BMS. Moreover, the effect of DD on CPI is also found asymmetrical. The increasing DD has a positive effect, and decreasing DD has a negative effect on CPI. The most of short-run results follow the long-run results. However, energy usage shows a negative effect on CPI in the short run, which is insignificant in the long-run results. This study recommends controlling the money supply and oil prices to reduce consumer prices.

Managing Weed-Crop Interactions Enhances Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Chemical Components.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a major pulse crop worldwide, renowned for its nutritional richness and adaptability. Weeds are the main biotic factor deteriorating chickpea yield and nutritional quality, especially Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav. The present study concerns a two-year (2018-19 and 2019-20) field trial aiming at evaluating the effect of weed management on chickpea grain quality. Several weed management practices have been here implemented under a factorial randomized complete block design, including the application of four herbicides [bromoxynil (C7H3Br2NO) + MCPA (Methyl-chlorophenoxyacetic acid) (C9H9ClO3), fluroxypyr + MCPA, fenoxaprop-p-ethyl (C18H16ClNO5), pendimethalin (C13H19N3O4)], the extracts from two allelopathic weeds (Sorghum halepense and Cyperus rotundus), two mulches (wheat straw and eucalyptus leaves), a combination of A. tenuifolius extract and pendimethalin, and an untreated check (control). Chickpea grain quality was measured in terms of nitrogen, crude protein, crude fat, ash, and oil content. The herbicides pendimethalin (Stomp 330 EC (emulsifiable concentrate) in pre-emergence at a rate of 2.5 L ha-1) and fenoxaprop-p-ethyl (Puma Super 7.5 EW (emulsion in water) in post-emergence at a rate of 1.0 L ha-1), thanks to A. tenuifolius control, showed outstanding performance, providing the highest dietary quality of chickpea grain. The herbicides Stomp 330 EC, Buctril Super 40 EC, Starane-M 50 EC, and Puma Super 7.5 EW provided the highest levels of nitrogen. Outstanding increases in crude protein content were observed with all management strategies, particularly with Stomp 330 EC and Puma Super 7.5 EW (+18% on average). Ash content was highly elevated by Stomp 330 EC and Puma Super 7.5 EW, along with wheat straw mulching, reaching levels of 2.96% and 2.94%. Crude fat content experienced consistent elevations across all treatments, with the highest improvements achieved by Stomp 330 EC, Puma Super 7.5 EW, and wheat straw mulching applications. While 2018-19 displayed no significant oil content variations, 2019-20 revealed the highest oil content (5.97% and 5.96%) with herbicides Stomp 330 EC and Puma Super 7.5 EW, respectively, followed by eucalyptus leaves mulching (5.82%). The results here obtained are of key importance in the agricultural and food sector for the sustainable enhancement of chickpea grain's nutritional quality without impacting the environment.

Dietary organic zinc and probiotic alleviate induced Eimeria tenella infection in Japanese quails model of coccidiosis.

The current study was conducted to evaluate the impact of organic zinc (OZn) and probiotic on growth performance, oocysts number, and histological features of cecum of quails following Eimeria tenella challenge. A total of 480 Japanese quails were distributed into six treatments as follows: untreated uninfected; untreated infected; E. tenella challenge + amprolium; E. tenella challenge + OZn; E. tenella challenge + probiotic; and E. tenella challenge + OZn + probiotic. Except untreated uninfected, all groups were orally gavaged at day 8 with 5 × 104 E. tenella sporulated oocysts. Supplementation of OZn + probiotic improved (P = 0.001) growth performance compared to the untreated infected group. Lesion score of intestine and mortality was lower (P < 0.01) in quails supplemented with OZn + probiotic. Moreover, oocysts per gram (OPG) and histological dimensions of cecum in challenged birds were alleviated in OZn + probiotic. The histological findings of quails supplemented with OZn + probiotic showed normal intestinal villi with gentle sloughed epithelium. We concluded that OZn + probiotic may be safely included in the diet of Japanese quails to control coccidiosis.

Phytosterol: nutritional significance, health benefits, and its uses in poultry and livestock nutrition.

Medicinal plants with active ingredients have shown great potential as natural and sustainable additives in livestock and poultry diets as growth promoters, performance, feed conversion ratio, digestibility of nutrient enhancers, and antioxidants and immune system modulators. Among active ingredients, phytosterols, which are plant-based bio-factors that may be found in seeds, fruits, grains, vegetables and legumes, are thought to be involved in the aforementioned activities but are also widely known in human medicine due to their efficacy in treating diabetes, coronary heart disease, and tumors. Nevertheless, phytosterols can also promote carcinogens production, angiogenesis inhibition, metastasis, infiltration, and cancer cells proliferation. This review focuses on the deepening of the biological role and health benefits of phytosterols and their new potential application in poultry and livestock nutrition.

Endophytic bacteria of Fagonia indica Burm. f revealed to harbour rich secondary antibacterial metabolites.

Endophytic bacteria are the source of novel bioactive compounds, used as therapeutic agent. Molecular docking is a computational technique use frequently, to find novel drugs targets and drugs-receptors interactions. The current study was designed to isolate and identify endophytic bacteria for the extraction of bioactive compounds. Further, to characterized extracts and to explore compounds interactions with bacterial cell wall and outer membrane synthesizing proteins. Endophytes were identified using 16s rRNA amplification technique. For bioactive compounds, solvent extraction method was followed and characterized further through GC-MS analysis. To find targets and drugs-receptors interactions, molecular docking studies and biological assays were performed. The isolated endophytes belong to five different genera namely Enterobacter, Bacillus, Erwinia, Stenotrophomonas and Pantoea. In case of antibacterial assay Stenotrophomonas maltophilia extract showed significant inhibitory zones (15.11±0.11mm and 11.3±0.16) against Staphylococcus caseolyticus and Acinetobacter baumanni, with MIC 33.3 and 50µg/mL respectively. Among the characterized fifty compounds, from endophytic bacteria "antibacterial compound" N-(5-benzyl-10b-hydroxy-2-methyl-3,6-dioxooctahydro-8H-oxazolo[3,2-α] pyrrolo[2,1c] pyrazin-2-yl)-7-methyl2,3,3a,3a1,6,6a,7,8,9,10,10a,10b-dodecahydro-1H-4λ2-indolo[4,3-fg]quinoline-9-carboxamide of bacteria Stenotrophomonas maltophilia were an excellent binder with MurF ligase active site, with binding energy of -10.2 kcal/mol. Extracts of endophytic bacteria composed of various pharmacologically active ingredients such as antibacterial compounds. Molecular docking studies provide important information regarding drug-receptor interaction, thus can be used in novel drug discovery.

Novel Carboxylic Acid-Capped Silver Nanoparticles as Antimicrobial and Colorimetric Sensing Agents.

The present work reports the synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial activities of adipic acid-capped silver nanoparticles (AgNPs@AA) and their utilization for selective detection of Hg2+ ions in an aqueous solution. The AgNPs were synthesized by the reduction of Ag+ ions with NaBH4 followed by capping with adipic acid. Characterization of as-synthesized AgNPs@AA was carried out by different techniques, including UV-Visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and zeta potential (ZP). In the UV-Vis absorption spectrum, the characteristic absorption band for AgNPs was observed at 404 nm. The hydrodynamic size of as-synthesized AgNPs was found to be 30 ± 5.0 nm. ZP values (-35.5 ± 2.4 mV) showed that NPs possessed a negative charge due to carboxylate ions and were electrostatically stabilized. The AgNPs show potential antimicrobial activity against clinically isolated pathogens. These AgNPs were found to be selectively interacting with Hg2+ in an aqueous solution at various concentrations. A calibration curve was constructed by plotting concentration as abscissa and absorbance ratio (AControl - AHg/AControl) as ordinate. The linear range and limit of detection (LOD) of Hg2+ were 0.6-1.6 µM and 0.12 µM, respectively. A rapid response time of 4 min was found for the detection of Hg2+ by the nano-probe. The effect of pH and temperature on the detection of Hg2+ was also investigated. The nano-probe was successfully applied for the detection of Hg2+ from tap and river water.

Operational parameters optimization for remediation of crude oil-polluted water in floating treatment wetlands using response surface methodology.

The application of floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) is an innovative nature-based solution for the remediation of polluted water. The rational improvement of water treatment via FTWs is typically based on multifactorial experiments which are labor-intensive and time-consuming. Here, we used the response surface methodology (RSM) for the optimization of FTW's operational parameters for the remediation of water polluted by crude oil. The central composite design (CCD) of RSM was used to generate the experimental layout for testing the effect of the variables hydrocarbon, nutrient, and surfactant concentrations, aeration, and retention time on the hydrocarbon removal in 50 different FTW test systems planted with the common reed, Phragmites australis. The results from these FTW were used to formulate a mathematical model in which the computational data strongly correlated with the experimental results. The operational parameters were further optimized via modeling prediction plus experimental validation in test FTW systems. In the FTW with optimized parameters, there was a 95% attenuation of the hydrocarbon concentration, which was very close to the 98% attenuation predicted by the model. The cost-effectiveness ratio showed a reduction of the treatment cost up to $0.048/liter of wastewater. The approach showed that RSM is a useful strategy for designing FTW experiments and optimizing operational parameters.

The Effectiveness of Alternate-day Cinacalcet Therapy for Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in Noncompliant Hemodialysis Patients.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined as an abnormality of the kidney's structure or function that is present for more than 3 months. Secondary hyperparathyroidism is a consequence of CKD, which eventuates with a decrease in the glomerular filtration rate. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of alternate-day cinacalcet in noncompliant dialysis patients compared with a daily dose. The effects on the levels of intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), calcium, and phosphorus were measured, and the compliance of patients with our protocol was observed. We followed the patients' (n = 134) iPTH levels every 3 months and their serum calcium and phosphorous monthly for 6 months and compared the results with 6 months of data from patients receiving daily doses of cinacalcet. The patients' mean age was 49.54 ± 16.17 years, the mean duration of dialysis was 6.44 ± 5.10 years, and 37.3% had diabetic nephropathy. The mean dose of alternate-day cinacalcet was 61.92 ± 26.59 mg. The level of iPTH before and after the change was 924.63 ± 474.132 pg/mL and 787.87 ± 496.49 pg/mL, respectively (P = 0.001), and the mean serum calcium level before and after was 8.56 ± 1.91 mg/dL and 8.85 ± 1.25 mg/dL, respectively (P = 0.035). The level of serum phosphorous before and after the change was 4.81 ± 1.32 mg/dL and 5.08 ± 2.3 mg/dL, respectively (P = 0.204). Cinacalcet produced significant reductions in iPTH with intermittent (three times per week) doses and thus was more cost-effective and had better compliance.

Bioprospecting microalgae and cyanobacteria for biopharmaceutical applications.

Microalgae and cyanobacteria have sparked a lot of interest due to their potential in various industries like biorefineries, biopharmaceuticals, food supplements, nutraceuticals, and other high-value products. Polysaccharides, vitamins, proteins, enzymes, and steroids are valuable products isolated from microalgae and cyanobacteria and potentially used in health and biomedical applications. Bioactive compounds derived from microalgae and cyanobacteria exhibit various pharmaceutical properties like antibacterial, anticancer, antiviral, antialgal, and antioxidant. From the properties listed above, the research for novel antibiotics has become particularly appropriate. In addition, the possible emergence of resistance against pathogens, as well as the potential decline in antibiotic efficacy, has prompted researchers to look for a new source of antibiotics. Microalgae and cyanobacteria have indicated a great and unexplored potential among these sources. For this reason, microalgae and cyanobacteria have been highlighted for their efficiency in different industrial sectors, as well as for their potential uses in the betterment of human and environmental health. This review gives an overview of bioactive compounds and metabolites with several biological properties isolated from microalgae and cyanobacteria for treating different animal and human diseases.

A critical analysis of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) complexities, emerging variants, and therapeutic interventions and vaccination strategies.

Coronavirus is a family of viruses that can cause diseases such as the common cold, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). The universal outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS coronaviruses 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global pandemic. The ß-Coronaviruses, which caused SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), have spread in more than 213 countries, infected over 81 million people, and caused more than 1.79 million deaths. COVID-19 symptoms vary from mild fever, flu to severe pneumonia in severely ill patients. Difficult breathing, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), acute kidney disease, liver damage, and multi-organ failure ultimately lead to death. Researchers are working on different pre-clinical and clinical trials to prevent this deadly pandemic by developing new vaccines. Along with vaccines, therapeutic intervention is an integral part of healthcare response to address the ongoing threat posed by COVID-19. Despite the global efforts to understand and fight against COVID-19, many challenges need to be addressed. This article summarizes the current pandemic, different strains of SARS-CoV-2, etiology, complexities, surviving medications of COVID-19, and so far, vaccination for the treatment of COVID-19.

Resveratrol (RV): A pharmacological review and call for further research.

Resveratrol (RV) is a well-known polyphenolic compound in various plants, including grape, peanut, and berry fruits, which is quite famous for its association with several health benefits such as anti-obesity, cardioprotective neuroprotective, antitumor, antidiabetic, antioxidants, anti-age effects, and glucose metabolism. Significantly, promising therapeutic properties have been reported in various cancer, neurodegeneration, and atherosclerosis and are regulated by several synergistic pathways that control oxidative stress, cell death, and inflammation. Similarly, RV possesses a strong anti-adipogenic effect by inhibiting fat accumulation processes and activating oxidative and lipolytic pathways, exhibiting their cardioprotective effects by inhibiting platelet aggregation. The RV also shows significant antibacterial effects against various food-borne pathogens (Listeria, Campylobacter, Staphylococcus aureus, and E. coli) by inhibiting an electron transport chain (ETC) and F0F1-ATPase, which decreases the production of cellular energy that leads to the spread of pathogens. After collecting and analyzing scientific literature, it may be concluded that RV is well tolerated and favorably affects cardiovascular, neurological, and diabetic disorders. As such, it is possible that RV can be considered the best nutritional additive and a complementary drug, especially a therapeutic candidate. Therefore, this review would increase knowledge about the blend of RV as well as inspire researchers around the world to consider RV as a pharmaceutical drug to combat future health crises against various inhumane diseases. In the future, this article will be aware of discoveries about the potential of this promising natural compound as the best nutraceuticals and therapeutic drugs in medicine.

Therapeutic Attributes of Endocannabinoid System against Neuro-Inflammatory Autoimmune Disorders.

In humans, various sites like cannabinoid receptors (CBR) having a binding affinity with cannabinoids are distributed on the surface of different cell types, where endocannabinoids (ECs) and derivatives of fatty acid can bind. The binding of these substance(s) triggers the activation of specific receptors required for various physiological functions, including pain sensation, memory, and appetite. The ECs and CBR perform multiple functions via the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1); cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2), having a key effect in restraining neurotransmitters and the arrangement of cytokines. The role of cannabinoids in the immune system is illustrated because of their immunosuppressive characteristics. These characteristics include inhibition of leucocyte proliferation, T cells apoptosis, and induction of macrophages along with reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion. The review seeks to discuss the functional relationship between the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and anti-tumor characteristics of cannabinoids in various cancers. The therapeutic potential of cannabinoids for cancer-both in vivo and in vitro clinical trials-has also been highlighted and reported to be effective in mice models in arthritis for the inflammation reduction, neuropathic pain, positive effect in multiple sclerosis and type-1 diabetes mellitus, and found beneficial for treating in various cancers. In human models, such studies are limited; thereby, further research is indispensable in this field to get a conclusive outcome. Therefore, in autoimmune disorders, therapeutic cannabinoids can serve as promising immunosuppressive and anti-fibrotic agents.

Evaluation of the anti-diarrheal effects of the whole plant extracts of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb in pigeons.

BACKGROUND: Cuscuta reflexa (dodder) belonging to the family Convolvulaceae has many ethno-medicinal uses such as antidiarrheal and antiemetic. This plant has been employed to treat diarrhea, where the antidiarrheal use of this plant is well established in different communities around the world without scientific bases. In addition, the antibacterial, anthelmintic, anticholinergic, and antihistaminic effects of this parasitic vine are partly responsible for the folkloric antidiarrheal use of this plant. In the present study, the antidiarrheal activity of C. reflexa was evaluated in pigeons (Columba livia) using the juice (JCR), aqueous (CRAE), and methanol (CRME) extracts. METHODS: The antidiarrheal effect of C. reflexa was evaluated using different reported research models, with few modifications. In pigeons, diarrhea was induced by administration of castor oil (6 mL/kg, PO), ampicillin (250 mg/kg, IP), magnesium sulfate (2 gm/kg, PO), and cisplatin (6 mg/kg, IV). In these experiments, loperamide (2 mg/kg, IM) was used as a positive control, whereas JCR (1 mL/kg (1%) and 1 mL/kg (2%), CRAE (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) and CRME (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) were administered intramuscularly at different doses into each pigeon in the test groups. RESULTS: In addition to cisplatin-induced diarrhea, all paradigms tested gave significant results (P < 0.01). The JCR, at different doses, exhibited a significant (p < 0.01) a dose-dependent antidiarrheal effect on both the frequency and the onset of diarrhea. Similarly, CRAE and CRME, at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg, showed considerable (p < 0.001) inhibition against the onset and frequency of diarrhea. On the other hand, JCR, CRAE, and CRME exerted significant effects (p < 0.001) on the percentage inhibition (PI) of diarrhea and gastrointestinal charcoal transit in a dose-dependent manner. In this respect, the maximum PI (p < 0.01) of JCR, CRAE, and CRME in different experimental paradigms was 43.13, 49.14, and 55.99 %, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Taken all together, results from this study reveal that the juice, aqueous, and methanol extract of C. reflexa exhibit significant anti-motility and anti-secretory potential. These findings may explain the medicinal use of C. reflexa in folk medicine as an antidiarrheal medicinal plant.

Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad (Bitter Apple Fruit): Promising Traditional Uses, Pharmacological Effects, Aspects, and Potential Applications.

Health consciousness and increased knowledge about the side effects of synthetic drugs have enhanced interest in traditional medicines. Medicinal plants offer cures for various diseases, leading to improved living standards. This has brought ethnomedicinal studies into the spotlight and increased demand for herb-based medicines. Citrullus colocynthis is an herbaceous plant containing an abundance of nutrients that play a key role in the improvement of wellbeing. C. colocynthis has many biological properties, such as antioxidative, hypoglycemic, antibacterial, anti-cancerous, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, gastrointestinal tract, reproduction, protection, anti-microbial, antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, antineoplastic, profibrinolytic, anti-allergic, pesticidal, and immune-stimulatory. There are numerous bioactive compounds like cucurbitacin, flavonoids, and polyphenols in C. colocynthis that give it medicinal properties. Herein, we have extensively compiled, reviewed, and analyzed significant information on C. colocynthhis from the best published available evidence in PubMed, Scopus (Embase), Web of Science (Web of Knowledge), Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, etc. Scientific literature evidenced that owing to the bioactive constituents, including cucurbitacin, polyphenols, flavonoids, and other potent molecules, C. colocynthis has many pharmacological and physiological functions. It possesses multi-beneficial applications in treating various disorders of humans and animals. So, the primary purpose of this comprehensive review is to provide an overview of the findings of positive impacts and risks of C. colocynthis consumption on human health, especially in poultry and veterinary fields. In the future, this narrative article will be aware of discoveries about the potential of this promising natural fruit and its bioactive compounds as the best nutraceuticals and therapeutic drugs in veterinary and human medicine.