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High nutrient variability and food security are the needs of the hour. Millets may be as effective as other cereal crops for dealing with severe malnutrition and increasing global population problems. Due to their physiologically active components, millets have attracted more research interest. Finger millet (FM), one of the climate‐resilient and minor cereal crop species, is well known for several health benefits, primarily attributed to its nutritional value and polyphenolic content. FM seed coat phenolics exhibit excellent anti‐diabetic, anti‐oxidant, antimicrobial, anti‐osteoporosis, wound healing, anti‐lithiatic, inhibiting collagen glycation, cross‐linking, and enzyme properties, which may serve well for the pharmacological purposes. Furthermore, the processing of FM is an important factor in its commercial use. It is necessary to invent some novel technologies to increase the productivity of FM by lowering the cost of processing and its effective utilization in the pharmaceutical and food industries. The literature presented will further explore the potential prospects of processing as well as value‐added utilization and its nutritional and pharmacological aspects in view of initiating further research in the food industry to formulate ready‐to‐eat and ready‐to‐cook products, thereby acting as future crops for sustainability. High nutrient variability and food security are needed and millets may be as effective as other cereal crops for dealing with severe malnutrition and increasing global population problems. The literature presented will further explore the potential prospects of processing as well as value‐added utilization and its nutritional and pharmacological aspects in view of initiating further research in the food industry to formulate ready‐to‐eat and ready‐to‐cook products, thereby acting as a future crop for sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blackcurrant possesses various health‐endorsing attributes owing to its polyphenol profile. Recent studies have demonstrated its therapeutic potential against various health disorders. Various bioactives present in blackcurrants have different functional and pharmacological aspects including anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. The most dominant and important bioactive include anthocyanins, flavonols, phenolic acids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Food formats derived from blackcurrants comprise pomace, juice, powder, and extracts. All these food formats have industrial, prebiotic, and pharmacological benefits. In the current article, the nutritional composition, industrial applications, and therapeutic potential are discussed in the recent literature. Moreover, novel extraction techniques for the extraction of bioactive compounds present in blackcurrants and their safety concerns have been elaborated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neurocognitive impairments are common in patients with current or previously treated brain tumours, and such impairments can negatively affect patient outcomes including quality of life and survival. This systematic review aimed to identify and describe interventions used to ameliorate (improve) or prevent cognitive impairments in adults with brain tumours. Methods: We performed a literature search of the Ovid MEDLINE, PsychINFO and PsycTESTS databases from commencement until September 2021. Results: In total, 9998 articles were identified by the search strategy; an additional 14 articles were identified through other sources. Of these, 35 randomised and nonrandomised studies were deemed to meet the inclusion/exclusion criteria of our review and were subsequently included for evaluation. A range of interventions were associated with positive effects on cognition, including pharmacological agents such as memantine, donepezil, methylphenidate, modafinil, ginkgo biloba and shenqi fuzheng, and nonpharmacological interventions such as general and cognitive rehabilitation, working memory training, Goal Management Training, aerobic exercise, virtual reality training combined with computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and semantic strategy training. However, most identified studies had a number of methodological limitations and were judged to be at moderate-to-high risk of bias. In addition, it remains unclear whether and to what extent the identified interventions lead to durable cognitive benefits after cessation of the intervention. Conclusion: The 35 studies identified in this systematic review have indicated potential cognitive benefits for a number of pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions in patients with brain tumours. Study limitations were identified and further studies should focus on improved study reporting, methods to reduce bias and minimise participant drop-out and withdrawal where possible, and consider standardisation of methods and interventions across studies. Greater collaboration between centres could result in larger studies with standardised methods and outcome measures, and should be a focus of future research in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Up to half of individuals with a history of long-term, heavy alcohol consumption will experience the alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) when consumption is significantly decreased or stopped. In its most severe form, AWS can be life-threatening. Medically assisted withdrawal (MAW) often forms the first part of a treatment pathway. This clinical review discusses key elements of the clinical management of MAW, necessary adjustments for pregnancy and older adults, likely outcome of an episode of MAW, factors that might prevent completion of the MAW process and ways of overcoming barriers to ongoing treatment of alcohol use disorder. The review also discusses the use of benzodiazepines in MAW. Although there is clear evidence for their use, benzodiazepines have been associated with abuse liability, blunting of cognition, interactions with depressant drugs, craving, delirium, dementia and disrupted sleep patterns. Because glutamatergic activation and glutamate receptor upregulation contribute to alcohol withdrawal, anti-glutamatergic strategies for MAW and other potential treatment innovations are also considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dioscin has gained immense popularity as a natural, bioactive steroid saponin, which offers numerous medical benefits. The growing global incidence of disease‐associated morbidity and mortality continues to compromise human health, facilitating an increasingly urgent need for nontoxic, noninvasive, and efficient treatment alternatives. Natural compounds can contribute vastly to this field. Over recent years, studies have demonstrated the remarkable protective actions of dioscin against a variety of human malignancies, metabolic disorders, organ injuries, and viral/fungal infections. The successful usage of this phytocompound has been widely seen in medical treatment procedures under traditional Chinese medicine, and it is becoming progressively prevalent worldwide. This review provides an insight into the wide spectrum of pharmacological activities of dioscin, as reported and compiled in recent literature. The various novel approaches and applications of dioscin also verify the advantages exhibited by plant extracts against commercially available drugs, highlighting the potential of phytochemical agents like dioscin to be further incorporated into clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to investigate the target and signal pathway of Smilacis Glabrae Rhixoma (SGR) in the treatment of myasthenia gravis (MG) based on network pharmacology, and to explore its potential molecular mechanism. The main active components of SGR were searched in the pharmacology database of traditional Chinese medicine systems, and analysis platform. The related targets of SGR were obtained by Genecards, connective tissue disease, therapeutic target database, Drugbank, and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man database. Moreover, the target information was corrected through UniProtKB and also, this data integrated to draw the "Ingredients‐targets" network of SGR. Protein interaction analysis was performed in data platform, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways as well as enrichment analysis on disease‐drug target was carried out through metascape online platform. A total of 15 active components were collected from SGR, which correspond to 159 targets; There were 1758 MG‐related targets; there are 81 targets related to both drug components and diseases, including 12 key targets. In GO bioaccumulation analysis, 1933 GO items were gathered, which were mainly related to the metabolism of active oxygen species and the active factors of postsynaptic neurotransmitter receptor. According to KEGG analysis, SGR may play a role in the treatment of MG through phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase–protein kinase B signaling pathway, T‐cell receptor, cAMP, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interleukin‐17 (IL‐17) signaling pathway, Th17 cell differentiation, endocrine resistance, hepatitis, and some cancer pathways. This study shows that SGR mainly treat myasthenia gravis through the regulation of TNF, MAPK1, JUN, TP53 and other targets, T‐cell receptor, TNF, and IL‐17 signaling pathway, Th17 cell differentiation and other pathways, which reflects the characteristics of multicomponent, multitarget, and multichannel of traditional Chinese medicine, and providing a certain pharmacological basis for the follow‐up study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: PD‐L1 immunohistochemistry (IHC) is an essential predictive biomarker for patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), required to inform treatment decisions regarding anti‐PD‐1 immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. This study aims to investigate the concordance between PD‐L1 IHC assessed on NSCLC cytology and histology specimens and to determine the impactce of tumour cellularity. Methods: Matched cytology and histology NSCLC specimens were retrieved from the archives of the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. PD‐L1 IHC was performed concurrently on both specimens at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre using the SP263 assay kit on the Ventana Benchmark Ultra staining platform and scored by two experienced pathologists. Results: Overall agreement between matched cytology and histology specimens was good (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.653, n = 58); however, markedly increased when the analysis was limited to cell‐blocks with >100 tumour cells (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.957, n = 29). Specificity at both 1% and 50% cut‐offs was high regardless of cellularity; however, sensitivity decreased in samples with <100 tumour cells. Conclusions: PD‐L1 IHC on cytology cell‐block specimens in NSCLC is an acceptable alternative to histological specimens, provided adequate tumour cells are present. Clinicians and pathologists should be mindful of the risk of false negative PD‐L1 IHC in samples with low tumour cellularity, to avoid excluding patients from potentially beneficial treatment. This paper demonstrates that cytology cell blocks are acceptable specimens to assess PD‐L1 by immunohistochemistry in non‐small cell lung cancer, provided adequate tumour cells are present. Assessing insufficiently cellular samples risks a rate of false negatives, which may exclude patients from potentially beneficial treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Recombinant secreted frizzled‐related protein 5 (sFRP5) improved periodontal status in mice. Thus, this study aimed to investigate this finding in human periodontitis using an epidemiological approach. Materials and Methods: sFRP5 and wnt5a concentrations were determined in human serum from the Food Chain Plus cohort using ELISAs. A total of 128 patients with periodontitis and tooth loss and 245 patients with periodontitis without tooth loss were compared to 373 sex‐, smoker‐, age‐ and BMI‐matched individuals in a nested case–control design. Results: Systemic sFRP5 serum levels were significantly lower in patients with periodontitis and tooth loss (2.5 [0.0–10.4] ng/ml, median [IQR]) compared to patients with periodontitis without tooth loss (6.0 [2.5–15.8] ng/ml, median [IQR], p = 0.04] and matched controls (7.0 [2.5–18.3] ng/ml, median [IQR], p = 0.02). No significant differences in sFRP5 serum levels were found among patients with periodontitis without tooth loss (6.0 [2.5–15.8] ng/ml, median [IQR]) and controls (3.1 [0.0–10.6] ng/ml, median [IQR], p = 0.06). Conclusions: sFRP5 might serve as a novel biomarker for periodontitis severity. Modulating the inflammatory background of severe forms of periodontitis, in the time of precision medicine, needs to be revealed in further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the use of ozone as a pretreatment process for water containing pharmaceuticals. Experiments were carried out on synthetic wastewater, surface water, and the effluent of wastewater treatment plant. The degradation efficiencies of four groups of pharmaceuticals (antibiotics, estrogens, acidic, and neutral) were studied, and the effect of ozone dose and pH on the degradation efficiency was monitored. A MicrotoxTM bioassay test was used to evaluate the change in the toxicity of aqueous solutions before and after ozonation. The efficiency of oxidation of antibiotics, estrogens, and neutral pharmaceuticals increased as the ozone dose and pH increased. Ozone input dose of 188.1, 222.3, and 222.4 mg h-1 was found to be optimum yielding the highest oxidation efficiency for the studied pharmaceuticals in synthetic wastewater, surface water and effluent of wastewater treatment plant, respectively. An average specific ozone dose of 2.05 for antibiotics, 1.11 for estrogens, and 1.30 mg O3/mg DOC for neutral pharmaceuticals reduced significantly the acute the toxicity of the water solutions and mineralized more than 40%, 33%, and 23% of DOC in less than 1 min. The kinetics of ozone with pharmaceuticals was modeled for synthetic wastewater as an overall second-order reaction with a rate constant ranging from 10³ to 106 M-1 s-1. The results indicate the effectiveness of ozone-based advanced oxidation processes in removing emerging pharmaceuticals from water and wastewater. The results showed that ozonation process is more effective than other conventional oxidation processes (Cl2 and ClO2) in eliminating pharmaceuticals and reducing the toxicity of the effluent water or wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the recognition of obesity as a complex disease that requires chronic management has become more widespread. There has also been a movement away from a focus on body mass index alone, and toward the management of obesity-related comorbidities as well as excess weight. This article examines the current and emerging pharmacological options for weight management in people with overweight or obesity who have, or are at a high risk of, weight-related comorbidities. In the USA, the current options for pharmacological weight management are phentermine (indicated for short-term use only), orlistat, combined phentermine/topiramate extended release, lorcaserin, naltrexone/bupropion and liraglutide 3.0 mg. Currently, orlistat, naltrexone/bupropion and liraglutide 3.0 mg are approved in Europe. All of the above-mentioned medications have shown weight-loss efficacy versus placebo. Those approved for long-term weight management have also been associated with improvements in weight-related comorbidities, such as hypertension, prediabetes, diabetes or dyslipidaemia, or related biomarkers. As with all drugs, the safety and tolerability profiles of medications for weight management should be considered alongside their efficacy to ensure correct use. Additional medications for weight management that are in clinical development include bupropion/zonisamide and beloranib. The field of obesity treatment is advancing with a number of medications being recently approved, and with other pharmacological options emerging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lysine, a nutritionally essential amino acid, enters the oral cavity in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). During oral hygiene restriction (OHR), lysine decarboxylase (LDC) in dento-gingival biofilms converts lysine to cadaverine. Lysine depletion impairs the dental epithelial barrier to bacterial proinflammatory products. Antibodies to LDC from Eikenella corrodens (Ecor-LDC) inhibit LDC activity and retard gingival inflammation in beagle dogs. Whether E. corrodens is the major source of LDC in dental biofilms and whether the lysine analog tranexamic acid (TA) inhibits LDC activity, biofilm accumulation, and GCF exudation in a human gingivitis model were examined.Methods: Antibodies raised in goats to LDC-rich extracts from E. corrodens cell surfaces were used to inhibit Ecor-LDC and detect it in biofilm extracts using Western blots. Ecor-LDC activity was measured at pH 4.0 to 11.0 and its TA dissociation constant (Ki) at pH 7.0. Young adults used a 5% or 10% TA mouthwash three times daily during OHR for 1 week.Results: Ecor-LDC antibodies and TA inhibited biofilm LDC. Ki of TA for Ecor-LDC was 940 μM. TA reduced plaque index (PI) by downshifting the PI correlation with biofilm lysine content after OHR without TA. GCF was correspondingly suppressed. However, greater TA retention in saliva partially relieved GCF suppression but not biofilm lysine depletion.Conclusions: TA slightly inhibits LDC but strongly reduces biofilm by inhibiting bacterial lysine uptake. Unfortunately, TA may impair dental epithelial attachments by also inhibiting lysine transporter uptake. Ecor-LDC inhibitors other than lysine analogs may maintain sufficient lysine levels and attachment integrity to prevent periodontal inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tylosema esculentum (morama) is a highly valued traditional food and source of medicine for the San and other indigenous populations that inhabit the arid to semi-arid parts of Southern Africa. Morama beans are a rich source of phenolic acids, flavonoids, certain fatty acids, non-essential amino acids, certain phytosterols, tannins and minerals. The plant's tuber contains griffonilide, behenic acid and starch. Concoctions of extracts from morama bean, tuber and other local plants are frequently used to treat diarrhoea and digestive disorders by the San and other indigenous populations. Information on composition and bioactivity of phytochemical components of T. esculentum suggests that the polyphenol-rich extracts of the bean testae and cotyledons have great potential as sources of chemicals that inhibit infectious microorganisms (viral, bacterial and fungal, including drug-resistant strains), offer protection against certain non-communicable diseases and promote wound healing and gut health. The potential antinutritional properties of a few morama components are also highlighted. More research is necessary to reveal the full prophylactic and therapeutic potential of the plant against diseases of the current century. Research on domestication and conservation of the plant offers new hope for sustainable utilisation of the plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To study real-life experiences of drug treatment discontinuations and safety in a well-defined cohort of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis ( JIA), over an eleven-year period in Uppsala County, Sweden. Methods Clinical charts of all incident and prevalent cases of juvenile arthritis were reviewed prospectively by an experienced paediatric rheumatologist. Each patient file was supplemented retrospectively regarding hereditary diseases, clinical data and aspects of pharmacological treatment. Results Severe adverse events from methotrexate or biological agents were rare, but 84 occasions of interrupted therapy due to adverse events or inefficacy were identified within 225 treatment periods (37.3%) in the 156 patients (108 girls and 48 boys) studied. The median observation period was 8.6 years after disease onset (minimum 1.33, maximum 17.5 years). Oral and subcutaneous methotrexate caused adverse events in 22.6% of the treatment periods and biological agents in 19.2% (p = 0.71). Discontinuation of treatment periods was equally common for methotrexate (38.7%) and biological agents (33.3%) (p = 0.53). Conclusion Our study shows a high percentage of interrupted medical therapies, due to adverse events or inefficacy, in children with JIA. Adverse events from methotrexate and biological agents were seldom severe. The results highlight the need for better predictive factors to guide therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last few years there has been an exponential growth in the field of herbal medicine, and these drugs are gaining popularity in both developing and developed countries because of their natural origin and lesser side effects. Syzygium cumini (syn. Eugenia jambolana, Syzygium jambolana, Eugenia cumini, Syzygium jambos), commonly known as jamun in India, is an evergreen tree distributed throughout the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and East Africa. It is mainly utilised as a fruit producer and for its timber. Medicinally, the fruit is reported to have antidiabetic, antihyperlipidaemic, antioxidant, antiulcer, hepatoprotective, antiallergic, antiarthritic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antifertility, antipyretic, antiplaque, radioprotective, neuropsychopharmacological, nephroprotective and antidiarrhoeal activities. Among these beneficial physiological effects, the antidiabetic property of S. cumini has the most promising nutraceutical value. The health-beneficial effects of S. cumini are mainly attributed to various phytoconstituents such as tannins, alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, terpenoids, fatty acids, phenols, minerals, carbohydrates and vitamins present in the fruit. This review paper presents an overview of experimental evidence for the pharmacological potential of S. cumini. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oleo gum resin secreted by Commiphora mukul, also known as gum guggul, has been used widely as an ayurvedic drug. Commiphora mukul is a short thorny shrub that is native to the Indian subcontinent. Oleo gum resin extracted by incision of the bark is a very complex mixture of gum, minerals, essential oils, terpenes, sterols, ferrulates, flavanones and sterones. Its active constituents, the Z- and E-guggulsterones, have been demonstrated to exhibit their biological activities by binding to nuclear receptors and modulating the expression of proteins involved in carcinogenic activities. Guggulsterones have also been reported to regulate gene expression by exhibiting control over other molecular targets including transcription factors such as nuclear factor (NF)-κB, signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) and steroid receptors. Considerable scientific evidence indicates the use of gum guggul as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of inflammation, nervous disorders, hyperlipidaemia and associated cardiac disorders such as hypertension and ischaemia, skin disorders, cancer and urinary disorders. This review highlights the taxonomic details, phytochemical properties and pharmacological profile of gum guggul. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Delirium is a very common and serious disorder with high morbidity and mortality. Despite symptomatic treatment the outcome can be poor for some especially when no underlying cause is identified. As a result, various strategies for delirium prevention have been assessed. Pharmacological agents such as antipsychotics, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, sleep–wake cycle regulators, anti-inflammatories and others have been advocated for a potential role in delirium prevention. The aim of this paper is to review the available evidence for their use in the prevention of delirium. Methods An electronic search was carried out using Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and other studies. The words delirium, prevention, intervention, pharmacological, prophylactic, antipsychotics, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, sleep and anti-inflammatories were used. References from selected papers were also searched. Results No multi-centre RCT has been identified. Few trials and other studies have been published so far assessing the prophylactic role of antipsychotics, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, hypnotics, melatonin, and gabapentin. As these studies tested different drugs, regimes and protocols in diverse populations no meaningful comparison can be made. Conclusion To date there is conflicting and inconsistent data regarding the efficacy of pharmacological treatment for delirium prevention. Positive reports in few of the studies justify further assessment of the potential for some pharmacological agents in the prevention of delirium. Well designed and appropriately powered RCTs are now needed. However, based on available evidence so far, no recommendation can be made to justify the routine clinical prophylactic use of any pharmacological agent in the prevention of delirium. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which evaluates the pharmacological and toxicological properties of the vinylic telluride derivatives. The study uses analytical grade chemicals and drugs from standard commercial suppliers and the preparation was grounded on the specification provided by other studies. Toxicity testing of the compound was conducted on Wister rats and Swiss mice following the established guidelines. The in vitro toxicity testing reveals that the compound has antioxidant potential and can reduce lipid peroxidation in control levels. It also examines its effect in Thiol oxidase, and δ-ALA-D activity and presents the results of acute exposure, open field test, food intake and water consumption, relative weight of organs, and biochemical parameters.

Several syndromes occur in old age. They are often associated with increased mortality and in all there is a paucity of basic and clinical research. The recent developments in the clinical pharmacology of three common syndromes of old age (delirium, urinary incontinence, and falls) are discussed along with directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors reflect on the issue concerning the significance of evidence-based management for the treatment of common diseases, particularly asthma and anaphylaxis. They assert that many physicians have accepted the concept although the practice has not been thoroughly examined. They claim that when the principles of evidence-based medicine are used in allergy intervention, other factors become apparent.