Weight gain in infants with congenital heart disease; breastfeeding alone versus supplemental spoon-feeding of expressed breast milk: an open-label, pilot, randomised control trial.

OBJECTIVES: Infants with congenital heart disease and increased pulmonary blood flow frequently suffer from feeding difficulties and growth failure. Providing expressed breast milk by spoon has been hypothesised to decrease energy expenditure in these infants as compared to breastfeeding. This study assessed the effect of supplemental feeding of expressed breast milk on weight gain in infants with unoperated congenital heart disease. METHOD: This was a prospective open-label randomised control trial. In total, 50 infants with post tricuspid left to right shunt were enrolled in the study. In the intervention group, apart from breastfeeding, a minimum predetermined volume of expressed breast milk was targeted to be given by spoon. 30-50 kcal/kg/day was given by expressed breast milk by spoon-feeding. In the control group, the infants were given at least 8 feeds per 24 hours by direct breastfeeding. Both groups were followed up for 1 month and assessed for weight gain. RESULT: Despite a high rate of protocol breach in both groups (30% overall), infants in the intervention group had better weight gain at one-month follow-up compared to those in the control group, 780 ± 300 versus 530 ± 250 gm (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: In infants with left to right shunts, supplemental feeding of expressed breast milk by spoon along with breastfeeding resulted in significantly higher average weight gain at 30 days compared to the control group who received breastfeeding alone. Future studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-ups need to be done to confirm the findings of this study.

Zirconium oxide nano-catalyzed synthesis of pharmacologically important bis(indolyl)methanes: a highly efficient and mild approach.

We report herein a highly efficient and mild approach for synthesizing pharmacologically active bis(indolyl)methanes 3a-z, utilizing ZrO2 nanoparticles as a catalyst. The method involves a condensation reaction between indole and diverse aromatic aldehydes in acetonitrile under mild conditions. The ZrO2 nano-catalyst prepared via a co-precipitation method demonstrates exceptional efficacy, leading to favourable yields of the target bis(indolyl)methanes 3a-z. The versatility of this methodology is highlighted through substrate screening, showcasing its applicability to various aromatic aldehydes.

Phenotypic and genetic characterization of unexplored, potential cattle population of Madhya Pradesh.

Bawri or Garri, a non-descript cattle population managed under an extensive system in Madhya Pradesh state of India, was identified and characterized both genetically and phenotypically to check whether or not it can be recognised as a breed. The cattle have white and gray colour and are medium sized with 122.5 ± 7.5 cm and 109.45 ± 0.39 cm height at withers in male and female, respectively. Double-digest restriction site associated DNA (ddRAD) sequencing was employed to identify ascertainment bias free SNPs representing the entire genome cost effectively; resulting in calling 1,156,650 high quality SNPs. Observed homozygosity was 0.76, indicating Bawri as a quite unique population. However, the inbreeding coefficient was 0.025, indicating lack of selection. SNPs found here can be used in GWAS and genetic evaluation programs. Considering the uniqueness of Bawri cattle, it can be registered as a breed for its better genetic management.

Recurrent central odontogenic fibroma in a patient with nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome: case report and in vitro analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Central odontogenic fibromas (COF) are rare, benign tumors derived from dental mesenchymal tissue that may occur in the maxilla or mandible. This report describes primary and recurrent COF in the mandible of a patient with nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS). STUDY DESIGN: A 36-year-old African American male presented with a COF and its recurrence 17 months later. Tissue pieces were obtained from both occurrences with IRB-approved signed consent. Collected tissue pieces were dissected; one portion was formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded, and the other was cultured for the isolation of cell populations from the primary (COdF-1) and recurrent (COdF-1a) tumors. Quantification real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), immunohistochemistry, and DNA sequencing were used for gene and protein analysis of the primary tumor and cell populations. RESULTS: Histopathologic analysis of the tumor showed sparse odontogenic epithelial cords in fibrous connective tissue, and qRT-PCR analysis of tumor and cell populations (COdF-1 and COdF-1a) detected VIM, CK14, CD34, CD99 and ALPL mRNA expression. Protein expression was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. CD34 expression in primary tissues was higher than in tumor cells due to tumor vascularization. DNA sequencing indicated the patient had PTCH1 mutations. CONCLUSIONS: Histopathology, mRNA, and protein expression indicate the rare occurrence of COF in a patient with mutated PTCH1 gene and NBCCS.

A novel inducible von Willebrand Factor Cre recombinase mouse strain to study microvascular endothelial cell-specific biological processes in vivo.

Mouse models are invaluable to understanding fundamental mechanisms in vascular biology during development, in health and different disease states. Several constitutive or inducible models that selectively knockout or knock in genes in vascular endothelial cells exist; however, functional and phenotypic differences exist between microvascular and macrovascular endothelial cells in different organs. In order to study microvascular endothelial cell-specific biological processes, we developed a Tamoxifen-inducible von Willebrand Factor (vWF) Cre recombinase mouse in the SJL background. The transgene consists of the human vWF promoter with the microvascular endothelial cell-selective 734 base pair sequence to drive Cre recombinase fused to a mutant estrogen ligand-binding domain [ERT2] that requires Tamoxifen for activity (CreERT2) followed by a polyadenylation (polyA) signal. We initially observed Tamoxifen-inducible restricted bone marrow megakaryocyte and sciatic nerve microvascular endothelial cell Cre recombinase expression in offspring of a mixed strain hemizygous C57BL/6-SJL founder mouse bred with mT/mG mice, with >90% bone marrow megakaryocyte expression efficiency. Founder mouse offspring were backcrossed to the SJL background by speed congenics, and intercrossed for >10 generations to develop hemizygous Tamoxifen-inducible vWF Cre recombinase (vWF-iCre/+) SJL mice with stable transgene insertion in chromosome 1. Microvascular endothelial cell-specific Cre recombinase expression occurred in the sciatic nerves, brains, spleens, kidneys and gastrocnemius muscles of adult vWF-iCre/+ SJL mice bred with Ai14 mice, with retained low level bone marrow and splenic megakaryocyte expression. This novel mouse strain would support hypothesis-driven mechanistic studies to decipher the role(s) of specific genes transcribed by microvascular endothelial cells during development, as well as in physiologic and pathophysiologic states in an organ- and time-dependent manner.

Prevention of dialysis disequilibrium syndrome in children with advanced uremia with a structured hemodialysis protocol: A quality improvement initiative study.

BACKGROUND: Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome (DDS) is a rare but significant concern in adult and pediatric patients undergoing dialysis initiation with advanced uremia or if done after an interval. It is imperative to gain insights into the epidemiological patterns, pathophysiological mechanisms, and preventive strategies aimed at averting the onset of this ailment. DESIGN: Prospective observational quality improvement initiative cohort study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A prospective single-center study involving 50 pediatric patients under 18 years recently diagnosed with chronic kidney disease stage V with blood urea ≥200 mg/dL, admitted to our tertiary care center for dialysis initiation from January 2017 to October 2023. QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN: A standardized protocol was developed and followed for hemodialysis in pediatric patients with advanced uremia. This protocol included measures such as lower urea reduction ratios (targeted at 20%-30%) with shorter dialysis sessions and linear dialysate sodium profiling. Prophylactic administration of mannitol and 25% dextrose was also done to prevent the incidence of dialysis disequilibrium syndrome. MEASURES: Incidence of dialysis disequilibrium syndrome and severe dialysis disequilibrium syndrome, mortality, urea reduction ratios (URRs), neurological outcome at discharge, and development of complications such as infection and hypotension. Long-term outcomes were assessed at the 1-year follow-up including adherence to dialysis, renal transplantation, death, and loss to follow-up. RESULTS: The median serum creatinine and urea levels at presentation were 7.93 and 224 mg/dL, respectively. A total of 20% of patients had neurological symptoms attributable to advanced uremia at the time of presentation. The incidence of dialysis disequilibrium syndrome was 4% (n = 2) with severe dialysis disequilibrium syndrome only 2% (n = 1). Overall mortality was 8% (n = 4) but none of the deaths were attributed to dialysis disequilibrium syndrome. The mean urea reduction ratios for the first, second, and third dialysis sessions were 23.45%, 34.56%, and 33.50%, respectively. The patients with dialysis disequilibrium syndrome were discharged with normal neurological status. Long-term outcomes showed 88% adherence to dialysis and 38% renal transplantation. LIMITATIONS: This study is characterized by a single-center design, nonrandomized approach, and limited sample size. CONCLUSIONS: Our structured protocol served as a framework for standardizing procedures contributing to low incidence rates of dialysis disequilibrium syndrome.

Litsea glutinosa extract promotes fracture healing and prevents bone loss via BMP2/SMAD1 signaling.

Estrogen deficiency is one of the main causes for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Current osteoporotic therapies are of high cost and associated with serious side effects. So there is an urgent need for cost-effective anti-osteoporotic agents. Anti-osteoporotic activity of Litsea glutinosa extract (LGE) is less explored. Moreover, its role in fracture healing and mechanism of action is still unknown. In the present study we explore the osteoprotective potential of LGE in osteoblast cells and fractured and ovariectomized (Ovx) mice models. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) and mineralization assays revealed that LGE treatment increased osteoblast cell differentiation, viability and mineralization. LGE treatment at 0.01 µg increased the expression of BMP2, PSMAD, RUNX2 and type 1 col. LGE also mitigated RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. Next, drill hole injury Balb/C mice model was treated with LGE for 12 days. Micro-CT analysis and Calcein labeling at the fracture site showed that LGE (20 mg/kg) enhanced new bone formation and bone regeneration, also increased expression of BMP2/SMAD1 signaling genes at fracture site. Ovx mice were treated with LGE for 1 month. µCT analysis indicated that the treatment of LGE at 20 mg/kg dose prevented the alteration in bone microarchitecture and maintained bone mineral density and bone mineral content. Treatment also increased bone strength and restored the bone turnover markers. Furthermore, in bone samples, LGE increased osteogenesis by enhancing the expression of BMP2/SMAD1 signaling components and decreased osteoclast number and surface. We conclude that LGE promotes osteogenesis via modulating the BMP2/SMAD1 signaling pathway. The study advocates the therapeutic potential of LGE in osteoporosis treatment.

Proanthocyanidins isolated from the leaves of Ficus glomerata evaluated on the activities of rumen enzymes: in vitro and in silico studies.

Two new proanthocyanidins (2S:3S)-(-)-epicatechin-(4α→8)4-(2R:3R)-(+)-catechin (Compound 1) and (2R, 3R)-3-O-galloyl-(+)-catechin (4ß→8)3-(2R, 3R)-3-O-galloyl-(+)-catechin (Compound 2) were isolated from Ficus glomerata and characterized by ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), 13C NMR, and heteronuclear multiple bond correlation . The bioactivity and drug scores of isolated compounds were predicted using OSIRIS property explorer applications with drug scores of 0.03 (compound 1) and 0.05 (compound 2). Predictive drug scores provided an indication of the compounds' potential to demonstrate desired biological effects. Furthermore, the newly discovered proanthocyanidins tended to interact with protein due to their chemical structure and molecular conformation. With the aim of maintaining this focus, compounds 1 and 2 were subjected to in vitro testing against ruminal enzymes to further explore their potential impact. Both compounds showed significant inhibition activities (p < 0.01) against glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase in both protozoa and bacterial fractions, with an effective concentration (EC50) of 12.30-18.20 mg/mL. The compounds also exhibited significant inhibition (p < 0.01) of ruminal glutamic pyruvic transaminase activity, with EC50 values ranging from 9.77 to 17.38 mg/mL. Furthermore, the inhibition was recorded in R-cellulase between EC50 values of 15.85 and 23.99 mg/mL by both compounds. Additionally, both compounds led to a decrease in protease activity with increasing incubation time and concentration. In conclusion, the results indicate that these novel proanthocyanidins hold the potential to significantly impact rumen enzyme biology. Furthermore, their promising effects suggest that they could be further explored for drug development and other important applications.

Psidium guajava: An Insight into Ethnomedicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacology.

BACKGROUND: Psidium guajava (guava) is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions and adapted to various environmental conditions. Guava is an important economic fruit widely used as food and folk medicine. It contains flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, triterpenoids, reducing sugars, essential oils, carotenoids, polyphenols, etc. The presence of triterpenoid acids such as guavacoumaric, ursolic, jacoumaric, guajavanoic, guavenoic, and Asiatic acids helps to develop novel drugs against various diseases. It is used traditionally for medicinal purposes, mainly for antioxidant, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, antidiabetic, anticancer, antiallergy, anti-inflammatory, and hepato-protective properties. OBJECTIVE: The systematic literature study aims to summarize its botanical description, phytochemicals, pharmacological activities, and clinical trials. This review focuses on the plant's chemical composition and scientific approaches to human welfare. METHODS: A systematic literature search was done on Psidium guajava through previous literature and online databases such as Google Scholar, Pubmed, Science Direct, etc., to explain its ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological applications. RESULTS: Previous literature studies of Psidium guajava suggest it can serve as antioxidant, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-allergy, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects. Successful clinical trials performed on the plant extracts against infantile rotaviral enteritis and infectious gastroenteritis showed future directions to work with the plant for clinical applications. CONCLUSION: In this review, an attempt is made to show all literature studied, especially in phytochemistry, pharmacology, clinical trials and uses as traditional folk medicine around the world. The leaves have been used by folklore over the years to treat various ailments such as skin ulcers, diarrhoea, vaginal irritation, cough, conjunctivitis, etc. Further studies are required to explore more therapeutic remedies and to develop new medicines for future perspectives.

An overview on the antimalarial activity of 1,2,4-trioxanes, 1,2,4-trioxolanes and 1,2,4,5-tetraoxanes.

The demand for novel, fast-acting, and effective antimalarial medications is increasing exponentially. Multidrug resistant forms of malarial parasites, which are rapidly spreading, pose a serious threat to global health. Drug resistance has been addressed using a variety of strategies, such as targeted therapies, the hybrid drug idea, the development of advanced analogues of pre-existing drugs, and the hybrid model of resistant strains control mechanisms. Additionally, the demand for discovering new potent drugs grows due to the prolonged life cycle of conventional therapy brought on by the emergence of resistant strains and ongoing changes in existing therapies. The 1,2,4-trioxane ring system in artemisinin (ART) is the most significant endoperoxide structural scaffold and is thought to be the key pharmacophoric moiety required for the pharmacodynamic potential of endoperoxide-based antimalarials. Several derivatives of artemisinin have also been found as potential treatments for multidrug-resistant strain in this area. Many 1,2,4-trioxanes, 1,2,4-trioxolanes, and 1,2,4,5-tetraoxanes derivatives have been synthesised as a result, and many of these have shown promise antimalarial activity both in vivo and in vitro against Plasmodium parasites. As a consequence, efforts to develop a functionally straight-forward, less expensive, and vastly more effective synthetic pathway to trioxanes continue. This study aims to give a thorough examination of the biological properties and mode of action of endoperoxide compounds derived from 1,2,4-trioxane-based functional scaffolds. The present system of 1,2,4-trioxane, 1,2,4-trioxolane, and 1,2,4,5-tetraoxane compounds and dimers with potentially antimalarial activity will be highlighted in this systematic review (January 1963-December 2022).

Renal Transplantation in Patients With Tuberculosis: A Single-center Experience From an Endemic Region.

Background: Despite being a common infection in end-stage kidney disease patients, there are no evidence-based guidelines to suggest the ideal time of transplantation in patients on antitubercular therapy (ATT). This study aimed to examine the outcome of transplantation in patients while on ATT compared with those without tuberculosis (TB). Methods: This was a retrospective study. Renal transplant recipients transplanted while on ATT were compared with a 1:1 matched group (for age, sex, diabetic status, and type of induction agent) of patients without TB at the time of transplant. Patient outcomes included relapse of TB and graft and patient survival. Results: There were 71 patients in each group. The mean duration for which ATT was given pretransplant was 3.8 ± 2.47 mo. The average total duration of ATT received was 12.27 ± 1.25 mo. Mortality in both the groups was similar (8.4% in the TB group versus 4.5% in the non-TB group; P = 0.49). None of the surviving patients had recurrence of TB during the follow-up. Death-censored graft survival (98.5% in the TB group versus 97% in the non-TB group; P = 1) and biopsy-proven acute rejection rates (9.86% in the TB group versus 8.45% in the non-TB group; P = 1) were also similar in both the groups. Conclusions: Successful transplantation in patients with end-stage kidney disease on ATT is possible without any deleterious effect on patient and graft survival and no risk of disease recurrence. Multicentric prospective studies are needed.

Quality Standards and Pharmacological Interventions of Natural Oils: Current Scenario and Future Perspectives.

Medicinal plants are rich sources of natural oils such as essential and fixed oils used traditionally for nutritive as well as medicinal purposes. Most of the traditional formulations or phytopharmaceutical formulations contain oil as the main ingredient due to their own therapeutic applications and thus mitigating several pathogeneses such as fungal/bacterial/viral infection, gout, psoriasis, analgesic, antioxidant, skin infection, etc. Due to the lack of quality standards and progressive adulteration in the natural oils, their therapeutic efficacy is continuously deteriorated. To develop quality standards and validate scientific aspects on essential oils, several chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques such as HPTLC, HPLC, NMR, LC-MS, and GC-MS have been termed as the choices of techniques for better exploration of metabolites, hence sustaining the authenticity of the essential oils. In this review, chemical profiling and quality control aspects of essential or fixed oils have been explored from previously reported literature in reputed journals. Methods of chemical profiling, possible identified metabolites in essential oils, and their therapeutic applications have been described. The outcome of the review reveals that GC-MS/MS, LC-MS/MS, and NMR-based chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques are the most liable, economic, precise, and accurate techniques for determining the spuriousness or adulteration of oils based on their qualitative and quantitative chemical profiling studies. This review occupies the extensive information about the quality standards of several oils obtained from natural sources for their regulatory aspects via providing the detailed methods used in chemoprofiling techniques. Hence, this review helps researchers in further therapeutic exploration as well as quality-based standardization for their regulatory purpose.

Fungal pectinases: an insight into production, innovations and applications.

The fungal system holds morphological plasticity and metabolic versatility which makes it unique. Fungal habitat ranges from the Arctic region to the fertile mainland, including tropical rainforests, and temperate deserts. They possess a wide range of lifestyles behaving as saprophytic, parasitic, opportunistic, and obligate symbionts. These eukaryotic microbes can survive any living condition and adapt to behave as extremophiles, mesophiles, thermophiles, or even psychrophile organisms. This behaviour has been exploited to yield microbial enzymes which can survive in extreme environments. The cost-effective production, stable catalytic behaviour and ease of genetic manipulation make them prominent sources of several industrially important enzymes. Pectinases are a class of pectin-degrading enzymes that show different mechanisms and substrate specificities to release end products. The pectinase family of enzymes is produced by microbial sources such as bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, plants, and animals. Fungal pectinases having high specificity for natural sources and higher stabilities and catalytic activities make them promising green catalysts for industrial applications. Pectinases from different microbial sources have been investigated for their industrial applications. However, their relevance in the food and textile industries is remarkable and has been extensively studied. The focus of this review is to provide comprehensive information on the current findings on fungal pectinases targeting diverse sources of fungal strains, their production by fermentation techniques, and a summary of purification strategies. Studies on pectinases regarding innovations comprising bioreactor-based production, immobilization of pectinases, in silico and expression studies, directed evolution, and omics-driven approaches specifically by fungal microbiota have been summarized.

Development of a major histocompatibility complex class II conditional knockout mouse to study cell-specific and time-dependent adaptive immune responses in peripheral nerves.

Introduction: Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II professional antigen presenting cell-naïve CD4+ T cell interactions via the T-cell receptor complex are necessary for adaptive immunity. MHC class II upregulation in multiple cell types occurs in human autoimmune polyneuropathy patient biopsies, necessitating studies to ascertain cellular signaling pathways required for tissue-specific autoimmunity. Methods: Cryopreserved Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) patient sural nerve biopsies and sciatic nerves from the severe murine experimental autoimmune neuritis (sm-EAN) GBS model were studied. Cultured conditional ready MHC Class II antigen A-alpha chain (H2-Aa) embryonic stem cells were used to generate H2-Aa flox/+ C57BL/6 mice. Mice were backcrossed and intercrossed to the SJL background to generate H2-Aa flox/flox SJL mice, bred with hemizygous Tamoxifen-inducible von Willebrand factor Cre recombinase (vWF-iCre/+) SJL mice to generate H2-Aa flox/flox ; vWF-iCre/+ to study microvascular endothelial cell adaptive immune responses. Sm-EAN was induced in adult female SJL Tamoxifen-treated H2-Aa flox/flox ; vWF-iCre/+ mice and H2-Aa flox/flox ; +/+ littermate controls. Neurobehavioral, electrophysiological and histopathological assessments were performed at predefined time points. Results: Endoneurial endothelial cell MHC class II expression was observed in normal and inflamed human and mouse peripheral nerves. Adult female Tamoxifen-treated H2-Aa flox/flox ; vWF-iCre/+ did not develop sm-EAN despite extensive MHC class II expression in lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues. Discussion: A conditional MHC class II knockout mouse to study cell- and time-dependent adaptive immune responses in vivo is developed. Initial studies show microvascular endothelial cell MHC class II expression is necessary for peripheral nerve specific autoimmunity, as advocated by human in vitro adaptive immunity and ex vivo transplant rejection studies.

Perplexity of Preoperative Multimodal Investigations in a Case of Parotid MALToma.

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue(MALT) lymphoma is a distinct subtype of lymphoma, presenting as a diffuse gland involvement or a discrete mass. Pre-operative diagnosis is a challenge as Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology is often inconclusive and presently no radiological investigation is confirmatory, therefore final diagnosis is made after surgical resection and immunohistopathology. We report a case of MALT lymphoma, which clinically presented as a unilateral large diffuse swelling of the parotid gland with a diagnostic dilemma eventually underwent total parotidectomy to be finally diagnosed as MALT lymphoma of parotid gland and received field radiotherapy with complete cure and no recurrence in a 2-year follow-up.

Characteristics of patients who use yoga for pain management in Indian yoga and naturopathy settings: a retrospective review of electronic medical records.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to identify the characteristics of patients who underwent yoga therapy for pain in yoga and naturopathy clinical settings in India. Methods: Electronic medical records of patients who received yoga therapy for pain in three inpatient yoga and naturopathy hospitals were reviewed retrospectively from January 2021 to September 2022. Demographic characteristics and details on pain condition, socioeconomic status, comorbidities, ancillary therapies received, and insurance status were collected. In addition, we prospectively collected data on adherence to yoga practice through a telephonic interview. Results: A total of 984 patients were identified from a pool of 3,164 patients who received yoga therapy for pain for an average of 9.48 (1.13) days. Patients aged between 8 and 80 underwent therapy for varying pain conditions and diseases that include pain in the extremities, pain due to infection, trauma, degenerative diseases, autoimmune diseases, and spine and neurological diseases. The majority of the patients were females (66.3%), from middle class families (74.8%), and who did not have any insurance coverage (93.8%). Most of the patients were under naturopathy treatment (99.8%), followed by ayurveda (56%), and physiotherapy (49.3%), along with yoga therapy. All patients reported a significant reduction in pain post-integrated yoga therapy (p < 0.001). Adherence to yoga was significantly associated with underlying pain conditions, the presence of comorbidities, the types of therapies used, and socioeconomic status (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study highlights the real-time application of yoga in pain management in Indian yoga and naturopathy settings, as well as implications for future research.

Madhuca indica: A Review on the Phytochemical and Pharmacological Aspects.

Madhuca indica J.F. Gmel. (family: Sapotaceae), commonly known as Mahua in Indian dialects, occupies the importance as one of the fuel-efficient, energy-saving plant species. Extensive studies showed that the presence of phytochemicals e.g., carbohydrates, fatty acids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, triterpenoids and glycosidic compounds in the extract of this species. Pharmacologically, it has been used against various disorders in indigenous system of medicine, inckuding antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic and wound healing activities. This review highlights various pharmacological activities, phytochemistry and importance of M. indica plant for medicine.

"Millet Models" for harnessing nuclear factor-Y transcription factors to engineer stress tolerance in plants: current knowledge and emerging paradigms.

MAIN CONCLUSION: The main purpose of this review is to shed light on the role of millet models in imparting climate resilience and nutritional security and to give a concrete perspective on how NF-Y transcription factors can be harnessed for making cereals more stress tolerant. Agriculture faces significant challenges from climate change, bargaining, population, elevated food prices, and compromises with nutritional value. These factors have globally compelled scientists, breeders, and nutritionists to think of some options that can combat the food security crisis and malnutrition. To address these challenges, mainstreaming the climate-resilient and nutritionally unparalleled alternative crops like millet is a key strategy. The C4 photosynthetic pathway and adaptation to low-input marginal agricultural systems make millets a powerhouse of important gene and transcription factor families imparting tolerance to various kinds of biotic and abiotic stresses. Among these, the nuclear factor-Y (NF-Y) is one of the prominent transcription factor families that regulate diverse genes imparting stress tolerance. The primary purpose of this article is to shed light on the role of millet models in imparting climate resilience and nutritional security and to give a concrete perspective on how NF-Y transcription factors can be harnessed for making cereals more stress tolerant. Future cropping systems could be more resilient to climate change and nutritional quality if these practices were implemented.

Efficacy and safety of topical 2% rebamipide ophthalmic suspension in dry eye disease at tertiary care centre.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect and side effects of topical 2% rebamipide ophthalmic suspension in dry eye disease. Method: This prospective randomized case control study included total 80 patients (40 cases and 40 controls) of dry eye. Symptoms were graded according to OSDI scoring system and specific tests for dry eye included Tear film breakup time (TBUT), Schirmer's test, Fluorescein corneal staining (FCS), Rose Bengal staining) were performed. Case group received 2% rebamipide ophthalmic suspension four times daily and control group given carboxymethylcellulose 0.5% four times daily. The follow ups had done at two, six and twelve weeks. Results: The maximum numbers of patients were between 45-60 years. Patient with mild moderate and severe OSDI Score shows marked improvement. Mild TBUT score showed improvement but statistically not significant (P value-0.34). In moderate and severe TBUT Score statistically significant improvement (P value- 0.0001, 0.0001). In all grade FCS shows statistically significant improvement with p value-0.0001, 0.0001, and 0.028 respectively. Schirmer's test score in all cases had shown improvement but statistically not significant and P value were 0.09, 0.07, and 0.07 respectively. In mild, moderate and severe Rose Bengal staining statistically significant improvement (P value -0.027, 0.0001, and 0.04) .The only side effect was dysgeusia (10% patients). Conclusion: Rebamipide 2% ophthalmic suspension showed significant improvement in symptoms and signs of dry eye. It able to modify epithelial cell function, improve tear stability, and suppress inflammation suggests that it may be a first drug of choice for severe dry eye disease.