An Updated Review on Nelumbo Nucifera Gaertn: Chemical Composition, Nutritional Value and Pharmacological Activities.

Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn is a recognised herbal plant in ancient medical sciences. Each portion of the plant leaf, flower, seed and rhizome is utilised for nutritional and medicinal purposes. The chemical compositions like phenol, alkaloids, glycoside, terpenoids and steroids have been isolated. The plant contains various nutritional values like lipids, proteins, amino acids, minerals, carbohydrates, and fatty acids. Traditional medicine confirms that the phytochemicals of plants give significant benefits to the treatment of various diseases such as leukoderma, smallpox, dysentery, haematemesis, coughing, haemorrhage, metrorrhagia, haematuria, fever, hyperlipidaemia, cholera, hepatopathy and hyperdipsia. To verify the traditional claims, researchers have conducted scientific biological in vivo and in vitro screenings, which have exhibited that the plant keeps various notable pharmacological activities such as anticancer, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antiviral, hypolipidemic, anti-obesity, antipyretic, hypoglycaemic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities. This review, summaries the nutritional composition, chemical constituents and biological activities substantiated by the researchers done in vivo and in vitro.

Psychological Distress and Coping Among Dental Practitioners During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey From India.

AIM: Most dental procedures are aerosol-generating and hence highly risky for spreading SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection. This can lead to sufficient psychological distress, avoidance of risky procedures, and impact on dental practice. We intend to examine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on dental practice and psychological distress among dental practitioners. METHODS: An online survey was conducted by an email-based survey link; 1257 registered dental practitioners were contacted across the country. RESULTS: Most dental practitioners continue to practice during the COVID-19 pandemic (81.08%). Postgraduate specialists significantly outnumber undergraduates in performing dental procedures (p=.001). Career-related anxiety was considerably high among postgraduates (61.96%; p=.036) during the initial phase of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in India. In contrast, self-efficacy was significantly better among postgraduates than undergraduates (p=.027). CONCLUSION: Dental practitioners suffered considerable impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to enhance coping and self-efficacy strategies among dental practitioners.

Enhanced reactivity and selectivity of asymmetric oxa-Michael addition of 2'-hydroxychalcones in carbon confined spaces.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are employed as nanoscale reaction vessels for the asymmetric oxa-Michael addition of 2'-hydroxychalcones. A systematic comparison of the catalytic activities of chiral phosphoric acid treated ferrite nanoparticles (chiral ferrites) has been studied for the synthesis of flavanones. Higher reactivity and selectivity with switching of enantiomers were observed when these chiral ferrites are inside the CNT channel.