Multi-faceted Anti-obesity Effects of N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) Receptor Modulators: Central-Peripheral Crosstalk.

Hypothalamus is central to food intake and satiety. Recent data unveiled the expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) on hypothalamic neurons and their interaction with GABAA and serotoninergic neuronal circuits. However, the precise mechanisms governing energy homeostasis remain elusive. Notably, in females, the consumption of progesterone-containing preparations, such as hormonal replacement therapy and birth control pills, has been associated with hyperphagia and obesity-effects mediated through the hypothalamus. To elucidate this phenomenon, we employed the progesterone-induced obesity model in female Swiss albino mice. Four NMDAR modulators were selected viz. dextromethorphan (Dxt), minocycline, d-aspartate, and cycloserine. Obesity was induced in female mice by progesterone administration for 4 weeks. Mice were allocated into 7 groups, group-1 as vehicle control (arachis oil), group-2 (progesterone + arachis oil), and group-3 as positive-control (progesterone + sibutramine); other groups were treated with test drugs + progesterone. Various parameters were recorded like food intake, thermogenesis, serum lipids, insulin, AST and ALT levels, organ-to-body weight ratio, total body fat, adiposity index, brain serotonin levels, histology of liver, kidney, and sizing of fat cells. Dxt-treated group has shown a significant downturn in body weight (p < 0.05) by a decline in food intake (p < 0.01), organ-to-liver ratio (p < 0.001), adiposity index (p < 0.01), and a rise in body temperature and brain serotonin level (p < 0.001). Dxt demonstrated anti-obesity effects by multiple mechanisms including interaction with hypothalamic GABAA channels and anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging effects, improving the brain serotonin levels, and increasing insulin release from the pancreatic ß-cells.

A critical review of risk factors influencing the prevalence of extensive drug-resistant tuberculosis in India.

Globally, extensive drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) is a major element to cause morbidity and death among tuberculosis patients. The present study identifies the vital risk variables contributing to XDR-TB prevalence in India. Scopus, PubMed/Medline, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases were searched thoroughly for the articles, using medical subject heading as a key term published between the years 2012 and 2022. According to the inclusion criteria, 11 publications were selected. Socioeconomic characteristics include employment, educational attainment, undernourishment, and the rest, and demographic factors such as gender, age, and more. Were examined in the review, whereas alcoholics, smoking, and diabetes mellitus were investigated under comorbidities and behavioral risk factors. We observed that noncompliance, poor knowledge, and insufficient health-care facilities could significantly accelerate the spread of XDR-TB, and the present review imparts a remarkable and detailed evaluation of XDR-TB. The study analysis is markedly useful for policymakers as well as researchers to discover and implement effective solutions for tuberculosis-infected patients.

A systematic review on extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis from 2009 to 2020: special emphases on treatment outcomes / Una revisión sistemática sobre la tuberculosis extremadamente resistente de 2009 a 2020: énfasis especial sobre los resultados del tratamiento

Objectives: Extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) has raised a great threat to human health globally, especially in developing countries. The objective of the present study is to collate and contrast the proportions of treatment outcome in the previously published XDR-TB articles. Material and methods: By considering inclusion criteria and search engines, a total of 22 articles were enrolled. Results. Our findings revealed that the overall favorable treatment outcome was 24.04%. From the cohort of enrolled studies 19.76% (397) and 43.35% (871) patients were cured and died respectively. In 90.9% of enrolled articles, the investigators performed drug-susceptibility testing at the baseline. The overall treatment outcome was improved by the use of new drugs (linezolid, bedaquiline, ciprofloxacin, clofazimine) in the treatment regimen of XDR-TB showing linezolid and bedaquiline better results i.e. 59.44 and 78.88%, respectively. Moreover, use of antiretroviral treatment in XDR-TB patients with HIV infection have not shown any significant difference in the treatment outcome. Conclusions: XDR-TB treatment success can be achieved by implying standardized definitions, upgraded diagnostic procedures, and novel drugs. (AU)

Objetivos: La tuberculosis extremadamente resistente (XDR-TB) ha planteado una gran amenaza para la salud humana a nivel mundial, especialmente en los países en desarrollo. El objetivo del estudio es recopilar y contrastar las proporciones del resultado del tratamiento en los artículos de XDR-TB publicados.Material y métodos: Teniendo en cuenta los criterios de inclusión y los motores de búsqueda un total de 22 artículos fueron incluidos. Resultados. Nuestros hallazgos revelaron que el resultado total del tratamiento favorable fue del 24,04%. De la cohorte de estudios inscritos, el 19,76% (397) y el 43,35% (871) de los pacientes se curaron y murieron, respectivamente. En el 90,9% de los artículos, los investigadores realizaron pruebas de sensibilidad. El resultado total del tratamiento mejoró mediante el uso de nuevos medicamentos (linezolid, bedaquilina, ciprofloxacino, clofazimina) en el régimen de tratamiento de XDR-TB, mostrando linezolid y bedaquilina los mejores resultados, 59,44 y 78,88%, respectivamente. Además, el uso del tratamiento antirretroviral en pacientes con XDR-TB y con infección por VIH no mostró ninguna diferencia significativa en el resultado del tratamiento. Conclusiones: El éxito del tratamiento de la XDR-TB se puede lograr implicando definiciones estandarizadas, procedimientos de diagnóstico mejorados y nuevos medicamentos. (AU)